USCG Risk Mitigation Series 10: Be Informed and Prepared: Emerging Technologies and Inspections

Dr. Grant Suzuki is the Chief of Technology for Marine Innovation Engineering at the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. With more than two decades of experience spanning applied science and business development, he leads Yamaha’s Marine Innovation Engineering teams in advancing the company’s C.A.S.E. strategy—Connectivity, Autonomous Operations, Integrated Services, and Electrification—along with advanced vehicle and sustainability initiatives. Grant plays a key role in driving pioneering technologies that enhance boater experiences while strengthening Yamaha’s core product lines. He holds a doctoral degree in Applied Physics and brings a global perspective shaped by professional experience in Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Japan, and the United States.

Jason Arbuckle is a Brunswick Technical Fellow the Marine Autonomy Technical Lead for Brunswick. Jason started his career at Mercury Marine in 2000 and worked on various engine and emissions control programs, digital throttle/shift systems, and autopilot control and dynamic positioning systems. In 2021, he transitioned to Brunswick and has spent the last 5 years as the technical lead for SIMRAD’s AutoCaptain system, a docking, undocking and close quarter maneuvering system. Jason has 75 patents in the marine control system space and worked with other marine industry leaders on ABYC’s TP-29 ADAS committee.  

Sangwon Shin has been pioneering autonomous boating since 2020 at HD Hyundai and Avikus and his work has helped bring one of the world’s first commercially sold solutions to market.

Kevin Ferrie is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with nearly 20 years ofexperience in the marine safety field. During his active-duty career, he servedas a vessel inspector, ensuring compliance of domestic and internationalvessels with federal and international safety standards. In his finalassignment, he served as a senior leader at the U.S. Coast Guard Marine SafetyCenter, where he oversaw innovative ship design projects and developedexpertise in regulatory equivalencies—helping advance new maritime technologieswithin existing regulatory frameworks. He currently serves in the Office ofBoating Safety as a Product Assurance Engineer, supporting manufacturers inmeeting federal safety regulations for recreational vessels.

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.

Craig W. Scholten has been actively involved in the recreational craft industry for more than 38 years.  His hands-on knowledge of small craft design, engineering, manufacturing, standards, and product certification provides a great resource of experiences.  Craig holds a Master Compliance Specialist Certification for small craft from Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology and a Master Technician Certification from the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC).  He has personally assessed and certified over 500 new boat models for the global marketplace. 

For over three decades Craig has served industry in multiple roles, including Director, Chairperson, Convener, Expert and Member of executive committees, technical committees, and boards of ABYC, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Marine Certification Institute (IMCI), and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). 

Skilled in working group leadership and collaboration in both domestic and international committees, Craig demonstrates a thorough understanding of how the standards and certification processes work and have evolved over time. Extensive success in guiding the understanding of standards compliance, product testing, risk assessments, and product certifications in both the domestic and international arenas. Strong networking and leadership skills, detailed, organized, and ability to find the win-win, Craig’s leadership results in effective teams that produce valuable product.

Craig regularly shares his expertise with industry at seminars and professional conferences including ABYC, NMMA, IBEX, and METSTRADE.

Craig can be reached at:

• [email protected]
• (410) 990-4460 x120