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been the original proposed U.S.C.G. sanction had the towboat?s master not attempted to provide a voluntary statement to investigators before conferring with defense counsel thathe was fully entitled to because of hislicense defense insurance policy. It cannot be overemphasized how important it is for licensed mariners to understand that statements whichmay appear to be innocent to themcan be interpreted completely differ- ently by investigators leading to career-threatening consequences. While this particular case ended with a relatively good outcome, the more than $20,000 in defense costsincurred would have made it a very hollow victory for the professional mariner involved had he not had the forethought to protect himself and his career with license insurance which paid all legal costs incurred in full.BALLARD DIVING & SALVAGE Tel: 866-782-6750 (24hr Emergency Services) www.ballarddiving.com 2011-WWII Liberty Ship Davy Crockett removed from Columbia River The West Coast leader in marine salvage and commercial dive services BALLARD DIVING & SALVAGE Randy O?Neill is Senior Vice President with Lancer Insurance Company and has been Manager of its MOPS Marine License Insurance division since 1984. Over the past 27 years, Mr. O?Neill has spoken and written on many occasions on theimportance of USCG license protec- tion. He is a regular contributor to MarineNews magazine. E-mail: [email protected] 72MNNovember 2011MN#11 (66-81):MN 2011 Layouts 11/4/2011 10:30 AM Page 72