Page 23: of Marine News Magazine (December 2014)

Salvage Association stands ready to share their guidance and insight on an international level. The simplest way to access that knowledge is as an active member of the ASA. All stakeholders must recognize that the world is devel- oping and times are changing. In the United States, the model has changed from opportunistic salvage to a fully developed response system. There should be no hesita- tion to utilize the SMFF capability during vessel emergen- cies. Not only is it the law, but as discussed above, this response capability is currently self-subsidized and needs to be exercised. VRP?s should be activated without delay and professional SMFF providers called to the scene when emergency assistance is required. It only makes sense to engage the pre-contracted and U.S. Coast Guard approved experts during a casualty, but somehow this simple process continues to be met with resistance, or at least reluctance, from various segments of the industry and government. The Responsible Party is obligated to follow the approved VRP and the U.S. Coast Guard is obligated to enforce the activation of the VRP. While the recent SMFF changes have occurred in the United States, all eyes are on the world market. Like it or not, the US response model will have in uence inter- nationally and salvors are positioning themselves for this inevitability. In this regard, the ASA will continue to serve an important role for its members as the salvage response model evolves globally. Todd Schauer is VP of Operations for Resolve Marine Group, a global salvage, wreck removal and marine Þ reÞ ghting services company. He manages ResolveÕs Þ eld operations teams and supports the development of ResolveÕs rapidly expanding global business. He is also Vice President of the American Salvage Association. The SMFF regulations are the most prescrip-tive and stringent of their kind in the world ...certain to have international implications.www.marinelink.com MN 23MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 23MN Dec14 Layout 18-31.indd 2311/25/2014 10:18:49 AM11/25/2014 10:18:49 AM