Hurricane Katrina
To mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, specialist insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has released a report analysing windstorm risks and losses and how to mitigate future losses, given increasing weather volatility.
Chris Fischer Hirs, CEO of AGCS, said “Even without considering the influence of climate change, the prospect of increasing windstorm losses is more likely in future due to continuing economic development in hazard-prone urban, coastal areas around the world and in Asia in particular. Preparedness is a key issue to limit windstorm exposure.”
The report highlights the importance of planning for various weather conditions and of closely monitoring developing situations. Extreme conditions can also significantly impact the design and operations of offshore facilities, and it is therefore vital that those using meteorological and oceanographic information are aware of how the weather, waves, currents and water-levels influence their work. Insufficient understanding of such conditions can bring about serious health, safety, environmental and economic consequences.
Looking at quantifying the impact and effect of weather and sea conditions on a wide range of activities in the offshore oil and gas and marine renewables industries is a chief objective of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology’s (IMarEST) Metocean Awareness course. This includes seismic and geotechnical surveys, drilling campaigns, new project developments, tow-out and installation of structures, operations and maintenance, and field abandonment.
IMarEST’s Technical Director, Dr Bev Mackenzie, said “Attendees gain a vital understanding of metocean and how greater knowledge can improve safety, improve decision-making and planning, and reduce costs for the offshore industries.”
All attendees will also receive a year’s complimentary membership to the IMarEST.
Click here for more information on Metocean Awareness Courses
You can read the AGCS report here.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF MARINE ENGINEERING, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The IMarEST is an international membership body and learned society for all marine professionals. It is the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, marine scientists and marine technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body. It is the largest marine organisation of its kind with a worldwide membership of over 17, 000 based in over 128 countries.
Working with the global marine community, the IMarEST promotes the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide.
The IMarEST works with a growing number of corporate partners offering different levels of support to maritime organisations. IMarEST Marine Membership is open to all companies and organisations, providing access to membership benefits, knowledge-sharing, online promotion and exclusive discounts. The ‘Marine Partner’ initiative is for organisations that work strategically with the IMarEST to create and deliver a bespoke annual programme of activity and premium promotion.
The IMarEST is a respected authority in every maritime country. It is a Non-Governmental Organisation with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), observer status at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and it has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), which facilitates its access to other international intergovernmental meetings where its specialized marine expertise is of particular use, e.g., the United Nations meetings on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the work of the International Seabed Authority on marine mining. It is a nominated and licensed body of the Engineering Council (UK), a member of the Science Council and has significant links with many other maritime organisations worldwide.
The IMarEST runs a series of industry leading and technically excellent events and conferences as well as publishing the internationally recognised publication, The Marine Professional.
