International Salvage Union (ISU) has appointed long-term industry expert Captain Nicholas Sloane as its new president, taking over from Richard Janssen in the position
Capt Sloane was previously ISU vice president and was voted into the position of president at ISU’s annual general meeting, held in London on 30 November 2021.
He is a director of international salvage, wreck removal, emergency response and training provider Resolve Marine and fellow of the Nautical Institute and the International Institute of Marine Surveyors.
Capt Sloane is most recognised for his role in leading the team that raised grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia from the Italian island of Giglio from 2012-2014.
During the annual meeting, communications advisor James Herbert was selected to succeed ISU secretary general Roger Evans, who is to retire at the end of Q1 2022.
In addition, Donjon Marine Co chief executive John Witte was elected as ISU vice president. He has more than 40 years of salvage experience and was previously president of ISU and American Salvage Association.
Mr Janssen, Smit Salvage managing director, remains a member of the ISU executive committee.
Capt Sloane said ISU will increase its co-operation with the marine insurance industry to bolster the effective use of Lloyd’s Open Form (LOF) for salvage projects.
“LOF is the contract of choice for salvage for immediate response to save value of ships, cargo, bunkers and lives at sea,” said Capt Sloane at the Salvage & Wreck Removal conference in London on 1 December 2021.
“ISU members save more than US$1Bn in assets per year using LOF. The alternatives can be more expensive.”
He highlighted some of the challenges affecting the salvage and marine insurance sectors, including larger container ships involved in maritime accidents, more cargo fires on ships and growing pressure on shipping companies to prevent environmental damage.
“There is a strong case for professional salvors,” said Capt Sloane. “For more training, investment in people and equipment and for sustainability.”
He continued, “It is essential that members are available to respond to cases to mitigate risk, minimise asset loss, save lives and protect the environment.”
Capt Sloane emphasised the rising demand on the maritime industry to prevent pollution from swift response to ship casualties.
“I emphasise that protection of the environment is such an important aspect of our members’ operations and so crucial in the world today, which has rightly put the environment at the top of the international political agenda,” he said.
Capt Sloane started his career at sea in 1980 and has worked in many roles, primarily in towage and salvage.
He became a master of the super-tugs John Ross and Wolraad Woltemade and then salvage master. His experience includes casualties and wrecks in all classes of ship and oil rigs around the world.
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