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www.marinelink.com 71Command (NOOC) at Stennis Space Center until a change of command im-mediately prior to his retirement cer- emony. During the change of command, Rear Adm. Brian Brown, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, hailed Gurley?s command of the NOOC, saying his ?strategic vision and operational expertise? propelled the organization to ?new levels of excel- lence.?Retired Rear Adm. David Titley, prior Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, served as guest speaker for the retirement ceremo-ny. He praised Gurley?s ability to think strategically and overcome challenges, as well as the lasting impact of his ca-reer. New Senior Manager at Bollinger Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. announced the appointment of Richard K. Murphy as a senior manager working on Coast Guard and other governmental programs. Mur-phy joins Bollinger Shipyards following a very successful 30-year career with the United States Coast Guard, culminating with the rank of Captain. His most recent assignment was Commanding OfÞ cer, U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, Md. ClassNK to Expand in Europe The announcement was made during a press conference held during the Nor-Shipping 2013 exhibition, and was high-lighted by a special signing ceremony which saw four renowned Northern European owners ofÞ cially transfer nearly a dozen vessels to ClassNK. The new expansion which includes new of-Þ ces already established in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and Ebeltoft, Denmark will see ClassNK open new ofÞ ces in Ber- gen, Norway; Würzburg, Germany; and Helsinki, Finland; with future ofÞ ces planned in Ukraine and Sweden.The addition of ofÞ ces represents a 25% increase in the size of ClassNK?s network in Europe, an expansion made necessary by the growing number of European owners who are classing their vessels with the Society. ClassNK?s recent growth has been led by German owners and Norwegian who have together transferred nearly 100 existing and newbuilding vessels total-ing more than 2.5 million gross tons to ClassNK since the beginning of 2012. The ceremony in Oslo commemorated the ofÞ cial transfer of three existing bulk carriers from Orion Bulkers GmbH & Co. KG, two bulk carrier newbuildings from Johann M. K. Blumenthal GmbH & Co. KG, one existing tanker from Me-dallion Reederei GmbH, and Þ ve bulk carriers from Norway?s Stove Rederi AS to the ClassNK register. Styrk Bekkenes CEO of HardingSince new owners took over Schat-Hard-ing and Noreq in June, Styrk Bekkenes, chief executive of Noreq, has been ap-pointed CEO of Harding ? a new large joint company for the development and production of life-saving equipment.Harding will have more than 900 em-ployees in 30 different locations world- wide. Its head ofÞ ce will be at Seimsfoss in Kvinnherad.The new owners, spearheaded by the in-vestment fund Herkules, wish to further develop the best life-saving equipment from Schat-Harding and Noreq. LearyFairfax (Photo: U.S. Consulate General)Brown Rear Adm. Brian Brown, commander, Naval Me- teorology and Oceanog- raphy Command, (right) presents Capt. Van Gur- ley with a certiÞ cate of retirement commemo- rating 26 years of naval service during a cer- emony held July 12 at Stennis Space Center, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo by Jenni Ervin) MR #8 (66-73).indd 71MR #8 (66-73).indd 718/2/2013 9:09:44 AM8/2/2013 9:09:44 AM