Parasailing as a recreational activity began in as an outgrowth of an activity called “parascending;” a land-based activity used to teach people how to parachute without having to use an aircraft.…
Kyle McAvoy (Captain, US Coast Guard Retired) is an expert in Marine Safety with over 26 years of experience in all aspects of ship inspections and marine incident investigations. He applies his expertise to forensic investigations involving the commercial and recreational use of our inland, coastal, and international waterways and shorelines. Kyle's casework includes collisions and allisions, marine engineering failures, and industrial mishaps at landside maritime facilities.
Kyle's distinguished career in the Coast Guard's Marine Safety and Prevention programs included inspections of all types of commercial ships, the investigation of both major and minor maritime accidents, the review and approval of engineering proposals involving ship construction or modifications, and the development of national policies and procedures that will direct the Coast Guard into the coming decades. While Kyle investigated numerous casualties throughout his Coast Guard career, two of his most publicized investigations include the Athos I and the Lady Mary. The Cypriot tanker, Athos I, struck uncharted river bottom debris which led to a 265,000 gallon crude oil spill that shut down the Delaware River for several days in 2004. The Lady Mary was a scallop fishing boat that sank off the coast of New Jersey in 2009, costing the lives of 6 fishermen.
Kyle has several distinguished Coast Guard awards, including a Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, and a Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Gold Medal. He earned a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, as well as a Master of Engineering (ME) in Manufacturing, both from the University of Michigan. He also has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mathematics. Kyle has been published in Coast Guard periodicals and presented in various forums on Coast Guard regulatory compliance issues. Kyle is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).
More than twenty-six years of active duty service in the United States Coast Guard’s Marine Safety and Prevention programs. His career spanned executive leadership, the generation of national and international inspection and environmental compliance policies and procedures for commercial ships (including international cargo vessels, energy industry (oil & gas) vessels, fishing vessels, passenger vessels, etc.), conducting ship inspections, conducting the investigation and analysis of ship casualties, ensuring the integrity of the Marine Transportation System via waterways management, and the development of policy germane to commercial mariner’s Merchant Mariner Credentials (Licenses and Documents).
Associate
2016 to presentConduct technical investigations and analysis, and provide reports and testimony as needed to resolve commercial and personal injury litigation in the maritime domain.
Office Chief, Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance Policy
2012 to 2016Led the Coast Guard effort to analyze national and international maritime authorities and conventions, determine their intent, and then develop and implement national ship inspection and examination policies to ensure the safety, security, and environmental compliance of all commercial vessels. Areas of focus included (but were not limited to):
Traveling Marine Inspector
Advisor to Offshore National Center of Expertise
On behalf of the Coast Guard Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, led USCG inspections and investigations on challenging and unique cases beyond field unit capability. Areas of focus included (but were not limited to):
Chief of the Prevention Department
2004 to 2008Led 150 plus member department to ensure the integrity of safety and security inspections, casualty investigations, and waterways management decisions related to commercial shipping and the Maritime Transportation System in the PA, NJ, & DE Tri-State region. Verified compliance with regulatory standards and imposed operational restrictions or controls to maximize safety and security and to minimize pollution threats. Areas of focus included (but were not limited to):
Chief of the Tank Vessel and Offshore Division
Salvage Engineering Response Team Leader
Led division that reviewed and approved plans and drawings for new ship construction and engineering design modifications for commercial tank vessels and OCS industry vessels. Ensured designs/plans were in accordance with international & national standards and regulatory oversight programs. Oversaw the salvage expertise provided to Coast Guard units responding to major shipping accidents. Areas of focus included (but were not limited to):
Ship Inspector/Examiner
Ship Plan Reviewer
Accident Investigator
Trainer
Carried out Flag State Inspections and Port State Control Examinations on commercial ships to assess a vessel’s fitness for its intended route and service, and to verify compliance with regulatory standards; imposed operational restrictions or controls as necessary to maximize safety and security, and to minimize pollution threats. For international detentions, filed appropriate reports via International Maritime Organization (IMO) protocol. Assessments included evaluation of hull integrity (strength/watertight integrity), machinery/engineering systems, lifesaving systems, fire protection systems, navigation systems, stability characteristics, etc. Trained new Coast Guard Inspectors and Examiners on all processes. Reviewed and inspected technical modification proposals for regional US commercial ships in accordance with applicable standards. Reviews included detailed assessment of fire protection systems, lifesaving systems, egress capabilities, stability analysis, etc. Conducted ship and personnel casualty investigations to determine cause and evaluate the need for regulatory improvements, as well as potential responsible party liability.
Staff Officer
1994 to 1996Managed Coast Guard ship inspection and maritime casualty investigation activities throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. Reviewed and analyzed Coast Guard positions on appeals, civil penalties, and pending vessel compliance policy. Oversaw Coast Guard Personnel safety training initiatives. Oversaw the implementation of the newly developed Coast Guard Streamlined Inspection Program (SIP) which utilized auditing and oversight methodologies over ship owner self-inspections. Studied emergency egress and lifesaving capabilities in combination with Search and Rescue capacities applicable to rescue efforts from high capacity passenger vessels on the Mississippi River.
Ship Inspector/Examiner
Accident Investigator
Suspension & Revocation Proceeding Presenter
Carried out Flag State Inspections and Port State Control Examinations on commercial ships to assess the vessel’s fitness for its intended route and service, and to verify compliance with regulatory standards and impose operational restrictions or controls as necessary to maximize safety and security and to minimize pollution threats. For international detentions, filed appropriate reports via IMO protocol. Assessments included evaluation of hull integrity (strength/watertight integrity), machinery/engineering systems, lifesaving systems, fire protection systems, navigation systems, stability characteristics, etc. Conducted ship and personnel casualty investigations to determine cause and evaluate the need for regulatory improvements, as well as potential responsible party liability. Presented government/Coast Guard evidence in formal Suspension and Revocation Proceedings before an Administrative Law Judge to prove charges levied against commercial mariners.
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)
v. 11/11/16
Parasailing as a recreational activity began in as an outgrowth of an activity called “parascending;” a land-based activity used to teach people how to parachute without having to use an aircraft.…
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