Dr. Tom Allan and Mr. Bruce S. Rosenblatt (President of RINA).
The individual Maritime Safety Award for 2014, given jointly by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and Lloyd’s Register, has been presented to Tom Allan, in recognition of his work at the International Maritime Organization and elsewhere to improve maritime safety.
The Maritime Safety Award recognises the significant contribution to the improvement of safety at sea or the protection of the marine environment by an organisation or an individual.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tom Allan started his maritime career in the shipyard of Harland and Wolff. From there he entered the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow where he obtained an honours degree in Naval Architecture, and later was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Since the early 1980s Tom has been dealing with safety issues nationally and internationally.
Tom’s career has spanned four decades. During that time, as Director, Safety and Standards Division, at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, he represented the UK at the International Maritime Organization in various subcommittees and committees, including Council and Assembly. He ultimately became the first Permanent Representative of the UK at IMO and the Chairman of the Maritime Safety Committee, in which position he represented IMO at many international conferences worldwide dealing with all aspects of maritime safety. Tom left a legacy at IMO by setting unsurpassed standards of governance and leadership. Outside the IMO, since 2002 Tom has been the independent Chairman of the main Technical Committee of Lloyd’s Register.
RINA Chief Executive Trevor Blakeley says: “Tom lives and breathes maritime safety, a subject he has served all his life and continues to advocate passionately. He is a worthy recipient of the RINA – Lloyd’s Register Maritime Safety Award.”
Tom Allan was presented with the Award by Tom Boardley, Marine Director of Lloyd’s Register, at the Institution’s Annual Dinner on 30 Apr 2015.
About the Award
The Maritime Safety Award, co- sponsored by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and Lloyd’s Register, is presented annually to an individual or organisation which has made a significant, technological contributions to the improvement of safety at sea or the protection of the marine environment. Such contributions can have been made either by a specific activity or over a period of time. Individuals and organisations are nominated for this award by members of the global maritime industry. The Award is judged by a panel of members of the Institution and Lloyd’s Register, and is announced and presented at the Institution’s Annual Dinner.
Nominations are now being invited for the 2015 Maritime Safety Award. Individuals may not nominate themselves, although employees may nominate their company or organisation. Nominations may be up to 750 words and should describe the technological contribution to improving safety, which the individual, company or organisation has made in the field of design, construction and operation of maritime vessels and structures.
Nominations may be forwarded online at www.rina.org.uk/MaritimeSafetyAward or by email to MaritimeSafetyAward@rina.org.uk to arrive by 31 Dec 2015.
About The Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Founded in 1860 in London to “…advance the art and science of ship design”, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects is today an internationally renowned professional institution whose members are involved at all levels in the design, construction, repair and operation of marine vessels and structures in over 90 countries. RINA members are widely represented at all levels in the maritime industry, universities and colleges, and maritime organisations.
Membership of RINA is open to those who are professionally qualified in naval architecture or marine technology, or who are involved or interested in the maritime industry. Membership provides an internationally recognised professional qualification which demonstrates the achievement and commitment to the highest standards of professional competence and integrity. RINA members enjoy a wide range of benefits and services, including advice on education, training and professional development. RINA also publishes a range of technical journals, and organises an extensive programme of international conferences and training courses covering all aspects of naval architecture and maritime technology.
The Institution is an NGO member of the International Maritime Organization, a member of the International Standards Organisation and a member of the Confederation of European Maritime Technical Societies, where is contributes its collective expertise to the work of those organisations.
About Lloyd’s Register
Lloyd’s Register works around the world to assess and certify ships, systems and facilities in order to improve quality and increase safety. Working with ship yards, owners and operators, LR provides innovative, value-added solutions that help improve performance and protect the environment throughout the vessel design, construction and operational phases.
Through the early recognition of potential risks, and by helping clients to manage them effectively, improvements to safety and performance can be achieved. Survey feedback helps to ensure that LR Rules and Regulations are calibrated against actual performance, and in-service risks are addressed through services such as ISM certification, operational risk assessments and its 24-hour ship emergency response service, SERS.
