The Marshall Islands Report –

Charles McHardy, Senior Vice President, Technical & Gulf Coast Operations, and Hans Molver, Senior Vice President, Technical, gave an update from the two Classification Society Consultative Committee meetings, which took place in Geneva and Houston. They also spoke on the department’s work in conjunction with other service areas to implement the Recognized Organization Oversight Program. Mr. McHardy and Mr. Molver discussed challenges facing the department in the upcoming year as fleet growth continues to increase, including the continued need for expansion of personnel. In particular, added expertise in the areas of LNG, offshore, and ballast water management were discussed.

Patrick Bachofner, Director, Business Development, and Marc Verburg, Fleet Operations Manager, Yachts, spoke on the state of the RMI yacht fleet, discussing the accomplishments of the previous year, including the launch of the revised RMI Yacht Code (MI-103) which outlines the eligibility requirements for a Yacht Engaged in Trade (YET), and the additions of Mark Robinson Maritime Consultants (MRMC) as an RMI Appointed Representative and Heli-Ops as an RMI recognized Aviation Inspection Body. In the coming year, the yacht team hopes to extend the YET program to waters outside of France and Monaco and will continue to focus on the growth of the RMI yacht fleet.

The meeting concluded with a company dinner where Bill Gallagher, President of IRI, recognized Theo Xenakoudis, Director, Worldwide Business Operations, for his 15 years of service to IRI. Mr. Gallagher congratulated Mr. Xenakoudis on the huge success of the Piraeus office and its role in making the RMI Registry the largest open registry flag in Greece.