Columbia Basin Leadership Training (COBALT)
The Columbia Basin Leadership Training Program (COBALT) is the CRSOA’s annual weeklong leadership program designed to give newly assigned U.S. Coast Guard personnel in Sector Columbia River and the Northwest District, along with participating maritime industry professionals, a broad, firsthand understanding of the Columbia River maritime transportation system.
Over five days, participants hear directly from the people and organizations that keep the river system moving. Presenters include vessel agents, ports, pilots, shippers, tug and towing operators, launch companies, terminal operators, state and federal agencies, professional associations, and other maritime partners. Presentations are paired with facility visits, tours, and opportunities for discussion throughout the week.
COBALT was originally developed as an orientation for each newly arriving U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port/Sector Commander and has expanded over the years to include other Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel, as well as industry participants. Offered at least annually since 1997, 2026 marks the 30th year of COBALT.
The Coast Guard selected the name Columbia Basin Leadership Training to reflect the program’s regional focus and collaborative approach. COBALT is coordinated by the Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association and presented by leaders from the maritime industry and local, state, and federal agencies. Each participating organization brings its own operational perspective, priorities, and expertise to the program.
At its heart, COBALT is about building relationships and shared understanding. Sessions acquaint federal decision makers with the Columbia River maritime industry’s priorities, challenges, and opportunities while creating space for open dialogue with the private-sector and public-sector partners they will work alongside throughout their time in the region.
COBALT 2026 will take place October 5-9, 2026 at locations throughout the lower Columbia River region. Participants may register for the full program or select individual days based on availability.
Over five days, participants hear directly from the people and organizations that keep the river system moving. Presenters include vessel agents, ports, pilots, shippers, tug and towing operators, launch companies, terminal operators, state and federal agencies, professional associations, and other maritime partners. Presentations are paired with facility visits, tours, and opportunities for discussion throughout the week.
COBALT was originally developed as an orientation for each newly arriving U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port/Sector Commander and has expanded over the years to include other Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel, as well as industry participants. Offered at least annually since 1997, 2026 marks the 30th year of COBALT.
The Coast Guard selected the name Columbia Basin Leadership Training to reflect the program’s regional focus and collaborative approach. COBALT is coordinated by the Columbia River Steamship Operators’ Association and presented by leaders from the maritime industry and local, state, and federal agencies. Each participating organization brings its own operational perspective, priorities, and expertise to the program.
At its heart, COBALT is about building relationships and shared understanding. Sessions acquaint federal decision makers with the Columbia River maritime industry’s priorities, challenges, and opportunities while creating space for open dialogue with the private-sector and public-sector partners they will work alongside throughout their time in the region.
COBALT 2026 will take place October 5-9, 2026 at locations throughout the lower Columbia River region. Participants may register for the full program or select individual days based on availability.
2026 COBALT Schedule
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Monday, October 5
Columbia River Pilots New Office - 4419 S. Settler Drive, Ridgefield, WA 98642 Agenda 8:45-9:00 AM | Breakfast 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome and Program Overview 9:15-10:15 AM | CRSOA 10:15-11:00 AM | Shipping Agents Overview 11:00-11:15 AM | Break 11:15 AM-12:00 PM | Pacific Northwest Waterways Association 12:00-12:45 PM | Working Lunch: River Economics 12:45-1:00 PM | Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots 1:00-1:45 PM | Columbia River Bar Pilots 1:45-2:30 PM | Columbia River Pilots 2:30-2:45 PM | Q&A 2:45-3:30 PM | Columbia River Towboat Association 3:30-4:00 PM | Launch Services Tuesday, October 6 USCG Sector Columbia River -6767 N Basin Ave, Portland, OR 97217 Agenda 8:45-9:00 AM | Breakfast 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome and Program Overview 9:15-10:30 AM | USACE Portland District 10:30-10:45 AM | Break 10:45-11:15 AM | Customs and Border Protection 11:15-11:30 AM | NOAA Coast Survey 11:30-11:45 AM | Hydrographic Services 11:45 AM-12:30 PM | Northwest River Forecast Center 12:30-1:30 PM | Lunch 1:30-1:45 PM | Dredge Oregon 1:45-2:45 PM | Port of Portland 2:45-3:00 PM | Break 3:00-3:15 PM | Superfund 3:15-3:30 PM | LoadMax 3:30-3:45 PM | USCG Cyber 3:45-4:00 PM | Bonneville Power Administration 4:00-4:15 PM | Q&A Wednesday, October 7 Clean Rivers Cooperative - 5882 NW Saint Helens Road, Portland, OR 97231 (Morning) / USCG Sector Columbia River (Afternoon) Agenda 8:45-9:00 AM | Breakfast 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome and Program Overview 9:15-9:45 AM | Merchants Exchange 9:45-10:15 AM | Maritime Fire & Safety Association / Fire Protection Agencies Advisory Council 10:15-10:30 AM | Lower Columbia Region Harbor Safety Committee 10:30-10:45 AM | Break 10:45-11:00 AM | Clean Rivers Cooperative 11:00-11:45 AM | Clean Rivers Tour 11:45 AM-12:30 PM | Lunch 12:30-1:30 PM | Travel to USCG Sector Columbia River 1:30-1:45 PM | DEQ Emergency Response 1:45-2:00 PM | DEQ Ballast Water 2:00-2:30 PM | Washington Ecology 2:30-3:00 PM | Break / Fireboat Tour Preparation 3:00-4:00 PM | Fire Response Boat Tours |
Thursday, October 8
Port of Vancouver USA, 3103 NW Lower River Rd, Vancouver WA 98660 Agenda 8:45-9:00 AM | Breakfast 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome and Program Overview 9:15-10:00 AM | Port of Vancouver USA 10:00-11:00 AM | Port of Vancouver Tour 11:00-11:15 AM | Break 11:15 AM-12:00 PM | United Grain Presentation & Tour 12:00-12:45 PM | Lunch 12:45-1:15 PM | TEMCO 1:15-1:45 PM | EGT 1:45-2:00 PM | Break 2:00-2:30 PM | National Cargo Bureau 2:30-2:45 PM | Seaport Marine Surveys Friday, October 9 Port of Kalama - 110 W Marine Dr, Kalama, WA 98625 Agenda 8:45-9:00 AM | Breakfast 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome and Program Overview 9:15-10:00 AM | Port of Kalama 10:00-10:15 AM | Walk to Mountain Timber Market 10:15-10:45 AM | Port of Columbia County 10:45-11:00 AM | Port of Woodland 11:15-11:30 AM | American Cruise Lines 11:30-11:45 AM | MARAD 11:45 AM-12:00 PM | Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Update 12:00-12:15 PM | Ballard Marine Construction 12:15-1:00 PM | Lunch / Travel to the Port of Longview 1:00-1:30 PM | Port of Longview 1:30-2:00 PM | Port of Longview Tour 2:00-2:30 PM | Program Wrap-Up and Evaluations |
COBALT Class of 2025
