SUR/TECH Conference 2025

In 2012, John Adey became the President of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), having served in several staff positions since 2002. John has his MBA with a specialty in nonprofit organization management and is an ABYC Certified Master Technician.  John is a member of the USCG Boating Safety Advisory Council, a Red Cross certified lifeguard instructor trainer, US Masters swimmer and an avid Chesapeake Bay boater.  In his spare time he enjoys inventing new swear words while working on he and his daughters 24 year old jeep, Taylor ham egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, dunkin’ donuts coffee and anything cooked on a weber charcoal grill.

Jason Karasinski is the President/Owner of Fire Research and Technology, LLC (FRT) and International Marine Fire & Explosion Consultants (IMFEC).  Jason is a NFPA 1033 Nationally Pro Board-Certified Fire Investigator, IAAI- CFI, NAFI- CFEI.  Jason Currently sits on the NFPA 921 Technical Committee and is a Principal for the NFPA Fire Investigation Units (FIUs) (FIC-AAA).  Jason has held the position of President for the NY State IAAI Chapter 23 for four years.  He continues to hold a seat on the Training Committee, Peer Review Committee, as well as the 921 Committee for the NY State Chapter.  Jason Presently sits on the IAAI Training & Education Committee. 

Jason serves as a subject Matter Expert and instructor at the National Fire Academy (NFA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  He has provided advanced electrical instruction for ATF and the National Center for Explosives and Research Center.  Jason has conducted and participated in hundreds of origin and cause investigations within the United States including major explosion incidents in San Bruno CA, at a West Texas Fertilizer Plant, Allentown PA, Dixon City PA and Springfield MA.  Throughout his time as a fire investigator and firefighter he has organized and conducted hundreds of live burns, demonstrations, testing and training for both the public and private sectors. In 2012-2013, Jason was a key contributor that led the effort to successfully secure a $267,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security, awarded to the NYS IAAI Chapter 23, for development, delivery and institution of electrical training for fire investigators and for Fire Department Line Officers in New York and regionally.

Mike is a 30-year marine industry veteran whose passion for boating drives his growing expertise in marine systems. He combines decades of practical experience with professional training in surveying, electrical, corrosion, marine systems, engines, and more. His experience includes managing service shops, installing and servicing marine systems, and working for suppliers of marine hardware, heating systems, running gear components, propellers, and more.

Mike is a faculty member of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Tech Program, where he is leading the development of a marine surveying course that will be launched later this year. He is also an ABYC Technical Instructor and frequent speaker at industry events, educating boaters and industry insiders on designing, installing, and maintaining safe and reliable boat systems.

At S-E-A, Carl Dolente is responsible for conducting and coordinating investigations and analysis of fires/explosions. These investigations include, but are not limited to, residential, commercial, industrial properties and on/offroad vehicles; many of which include the involvement of batteries or Energy Storage Systems (ESS). His responsibilities also include scene documentation utilizing the latest techniques and technology, conducting detailed interviews, post-fire reconstruction, code review and other fire protection analysis. Furthermore, he conducts hypothesis testing in order to reach valid and reliable final conclusions. Carl has been retained internationally by product manufacturers, utility providers, attorneys, and insurance companies.

Mr. Dolente received a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering Technology with a minor in Industrial Fire Protection as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University. While at EKU, he worked as a laboratory technician, with the responsibility of inspecting and testing various types of fire extinguishers as well as conducting life safety evaluations. Prior to S-E-A, he worked with alarm technicians to install, maintain, test, and certify fire and burglar alarm systems.

Mr. Dolente is certified through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) as a Certified Fire Investigator as well as National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and a Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII). He is also certified through the International Fire Science Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and ProBoard as Fire Officer 2. He maintains the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) certification through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Additionally, he maintains an OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician certification.

Maciej Rynkiewicz has been a Standards Developer for ABYC since 2019. An integral member of the ABYC Technical Department, Maciej works directly with the Project Technical Committees (PTCs) responsible for creating and updating the ABYC standards, specifically the new E-13, Lithium Ion Batteries standard published in 2022. Maciej is also a member of ISO/TC 188/JWG 1 where he is working on electric propulsion standard. He also manages hands-on testing to see what can go right, and wrong, with boat electrical systems. A long-time boater, Maciej is a Certified Marine Technician with credentials from ABYC, NMEA, and Abaris as well as a skipper and certified sailing instructor.

Maciej can be reached at:

• mrynkiewicz@abycinc.org
• (410) 990-4460 x114

Fred Berry is a seasoned marine industry professional having served in mechanical and electrical engineering roles at Burger Boat Company, Navico Group (fka Power Products), and Hinckley Yachts beginning in 1997. 

After graduating from Maine Maritime Academy in 1993, Fred worked as a licensed engineering officer aboard an oil exploration rig overseas and an ore carrier on the Great Lakes, in his off time serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve. 

A former ABYC 3-term Tech Board Member and now certified electrical technician, Mr. Berry is presently a fifth-year marine engineer at Pacmar Technologies, a defense contractor specializing in the prototyping of novel autonomous marine platforms for DARPA and the Office of Naval Research.

Mr. Holloway is employed by Travelers as a Director within its Fire Investigation Unit conducting origin and cause investigations throughout the country, specializing in vessel and marina fires. Mr. Holloway has been conducting fire investigations for the insurance industry since 2005; specifically with Travelers Fire Investigation Team since 2008.

Mr. Holloway is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University.

To date he has conducted 85 test burns of vessels for research and training purposes.

I am the Director of Engineering for NAVICO Connect, a division of Brunswick.  I have worked in the Marine industry for the past 21 years. I have participated in multiple ABYC standards committees and served on the ABYC tech board as well as being an ABYC division director. For the past 6 years I have been leading a team of engineers that develop applications and designs for electrical and power systems across multiple industries including marine.  One of our primary focuses is the implementation of our FATHOM (generator replacement systems). Between marine, RV, and specialty vehicle markets we have over 6000 systems in the field.

As the Director of Standard and Compliance at the American Boat and Yacht Council, Brian is responsible for the managing the day to day operations of the department and the review and publication of over 80 standards. He also insures the execution of numerous grants awarded to the Standards and Compliance Department. Additionally, he addresses standards and compliance questions related to standards in the Hull, Machinery, and Product Interface divisions. Brian is also actively liaisons with other industry groups including NMMA, NASBLA, SAMS®, NAMS, NFPA, and SAE. Prior to assuming role as the Director, Standards and Compliance, he was the Technical Standards Manager at ABYC.

In addition to having a dual degree in Biology/Marine Environmental Science, Brian has a broad range of marine industry experience including roles as a Captain, Dockmaster and Navigation Officer on a hydrographic survey vessel.

Jared began his marine insurance career with ACE in 2009, initially serving in the commercial marine claims department, where he managed both first-party and third-party claims. His career has progressed through a series of roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in his current position as Assistant Vice President of Hull and Liability Claims at Chubb, where he oversees the personal lines recreational marine claims group. Outside of his professional commitments, Jared enjoys the outdoors and cherishes quality time with his family.