Page 12: of Marine News Magazine (August 2013)

The Resolve Fire Academy is an asset not only to your organization but to the greater maritime industry at large. Tell us about it. Yes, we do know that our training division helps to save lives. The training arm of Resolve Marine Group, Inc. has been expanded and rebranded as Resolve Maritime Acade- my which encompasses our initial ? re training component (Fire School) and now includes a Simulator Group which is comprised of a full mission bridge and engine room sim- ulator, mini bridges and ECDIS classrooms. Within the Fire School, we have trained approximately 21,000 profes- sional mariners and port ? re ? ghters. The initial focus for the new expanded simulation and vessel of? cer training program has been with the cruise ship industry. We have signed a training agreement to be the exclusive provider of simulation training for Royal Caribbean International to train of? cers for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara and their other ? eets. Additional cruise lines are now taking our courses. This market was already at our doorstep, given our location in Fort Lauderdale and the port of Miami. Although this expansion was in the works for a number of years, the timing of our grand opening was somewhat uncanny since it basically coincided with Costa Concor-dia casualty and spotlighted the industrys needs. We are currently rolling out one of the only real-time combined Bridge and Engine Room Resource Management courses on the planet. This course allows both Bridge and Engi- neering Of? cers to train together during crisis and non- crisis scenarios and each in their respective full mission simulators. Further, we are now developing courses and classes for the Offshore Oil & Gas industries beginning with Dynamic Positioning, Anchor Handling, STS (Ship to Ship) and right down to offshore crane operator courses. Many organizations consider the responder liability issue to be the most pressing matter on the plates of U.S. salvors today. Do you agree? Without a doubt responder liability is a major shared industry concern. It has taken my family and team over 30 years to get where we are and this lifes endeavor can be lost in one calamity. Resolve is an active co-sponsor of the ASAs effort to pass responder immunity legislation in the USA. Without reasonable provisions to protect profession- als willing to take often time critical actions in the heat of a battle to control a developing marine emergency, who might be willing to step forward? Also, there seems to be a growing lack of enthusiasm for rewarding salvors in ways that resemble the traditional concept of encouraging expe- rienced people to be ready and willing to take voluntary action in an emergency. We are frequently asked to quote lump sum prices before be able to evaluate the casualty circumstances and to disavow any right to make a claim for salvage. The two issues are related. The sea can be an ex- tremely challenging, if not unforgiving environment. The ports and coastlines are home to myriad private and public interests. Why should a salvor take on a poorly de? ned or deteriorating situation at the risk of being penalized after the fact if the response does not turn out to be perfectly successful in the eyes of all parties that may claim to have been affected? Nobody in any industry bats a thousand even when there is a well de? ned situation and time to de- velop and implement a fully conceived plan. It makes even less sense if you risk being liable to third parties for actions earnestly taken on behalf a client shipowner. If successful salvage does not make for an ample reward, it is dif? cult to justify putting anything let alone everything on the line. Joe Farrells Resolve Marine has, over the years, been de? ned over the years as an environmentally focused ? rm. What drives that focus for you? We have always been and continue to be extremely con- scious of the environment in which we work and make a living in. It has re? ected in all our jobs over the years. This was before the environmentalist took note of sea? oor dam- ages or the lawyers found a new source of income, which is suing vessel owners and or their responders. We have al- ways taken the time necessary in connecting up to strand- ed vessels laying on sensitive sea ? oors as well as ? nding extraction paths that will do the least sea? oor damage dur- ing vessel removals. What drives this focus is simple: It is the right thing to do. Resolves stated goal is to Leave The World a Better Place.? We are only on this earth for a fairly short period of time, therefore if we do good to others and our environment, who knows but maybe we get to stay here a little longer. Salvage, by its very nature, involves expensive assets and considerable overhead. What else does Resolve do to keep its assets busy when not engaged in an emergency situation? This is something which many, including our clients, do not usually see or consider. In our varying business enti- ties we try to utilize our assets, but it is a challenge and frankly we seldom are able to use the task speci? c assets INSIGHTSAugust 201312 MNMN August2013 Layout 1-17.indd 127/23/2013 7:41:06 PM