Admiral Benkert Elected President Of AIMS

The election of Rear Adm. William M. Benkert, USCG (ret.), to be president of the American Institute of Merchant Shipping (AIMS) was announced by Adrian S. Hooper, chairman of the board of AIMS and IOT Corporation.

Admiral Benkert will succeed James J. Reynolds, who has been president of AIMS since the association's formation in 1969.

In making the announcement, Mr. Hooper said: "The members of AIMS believe that Rear Admiral Benkert's experience will be helpful to the merchant shipping industry as he gives guidance on achieving the safety and environmental goals to which the industry has long been committed." Admiral Benkert was graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Conn., in June 1943, with a degree in marine engineering. He served on combat duty in the Pacific Area through the remainder of World War II, including several vessel commands.

His sea duty assignments have included command of five Coast Guard vessels operating worldwide engaged in search and rescue work, aids to navigation, ocean station weather patrol and polar icebreaking. While ashore, he commanded marine inspection offices.

His assignments at Coast Guard Headquarters were as Assistant Chief of the Merchant Vessel Inspection Division, Chief of the Office of Marine Environment and Systems and Chief of the Office of Merchant Marine Safety. In these capacities, Admiral Benkert acquired extensive experience in all aspects of commercial vessel safety and attendant pollution prevention.

As president of AIMS, Admiral Benkert will head an association whose 27 member companies own or operate over 200 American- flag tankers, chemical, liquefied natural gas and dry bulk carriers in U.S. domestic and foreign commerce.

AIMS is located at 1625 K Street, N.W., Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 20006.

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