WSMC 2026 Conference — October 21-22, Tacoma, WA

WSMC 2026 Conference

Advancing Maritime Safety, Preparedness & Innovation

October 21–22, 2026 Silver Cloud Hotel • Point Ruston Waterfront • Tacoma, WA

About the Conference

The WSMC 2026 Conference brings together vessel operators, regulators, spill response organizations, and industry partners for two days of training, presentations, and collaboration focused on protecting Washington’s waters. This year’s expanded format features a full Training Day followed by a conference day of panels and presentations on the latest developments in maritime safety, emergency response, and regulatory affairs.

Day 1 — Wednesday, October 21 Training Day

8:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration & Breakfast

Choose Your Training Track

Track A — Full Day

HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Annual refresher training for hazardous waste operations and emergency response personnel as required under 29 CFR 1910.120.

Track B — Two Sessions

Morning: AI in Emergency Response

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Explore how artificial intelligence tools can enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and coordination during spill response operations.

Afternoon: Salvage Marine Firefighting

1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Hands-on training covering salvage operations and marine firefighting techniques for vessel emergencies.

Evening — October 21 Keynote & Reception

5:30 – 6:00 PM

Cocktail Reception

6:00 – 7:00 PM

Keynote Address

Speaker to be announced

Day 2 — Thursday, October 22 Conference

8:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Opening Remarks

Dan Smiley, Executive Director, WSMC

9:00 – 10:00 AM

Panel: Safety Culture in Emergency Response

A panel discussion exploring how organizations can build and sustain a strong safety culture, drawing on lessons from maritime, industrial, and emergency response operations.

Panelists TBA

10:00 – 10:15 AM

Coffee Break

10:15 – 11:05 AM

WA Department of Ecology Oil Spill Response Rulemaking

An update on the current state of Ecology’s oil spill contingency plan rulemaking process, including key proposed changes and opportunities for stakeholder engagement.

Dan Smiley, Executive Director, WSMC

11:05 – 11:55 AM

Using AI in Emergency Response

How artificial intelligence and machine learning are being applied to improve spill detection, response planning, resource allocation, and damage assessment.

Speaker TBA

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 – 3:00 PM

Afternoon Sessions

Additional presentations and panel discussions. Details to be announced.

3:00 – 3:30 PM

Closing Remarks

Venue

Silver Cloud Hotel

Point Ruston Waterfront

5125 Grand Loop

Tacoma, WA 98407

silvercloud.com/tacoma

Located on the scenic Point Ruston waterfront along Commencement Bay, near the Tacoma Yacht Club.

View on Google Maps →

Register Now

Join us for two days of training, presentations, and networking with Washington’s maritime community.