Having trouble viewing this email?click here February 2015 - Issue 1, Volume 7 Promoting professionalism and improving marine casualty response in American coastal and inland waters. ASA 2015 Spring meeting in Stamford, CT, will be held on Monday, March 23rd, in conjunction with CMA SHIPPING 2015 at the Hilton Stamford, Stamford, CT. The meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast, and includes lunch with WISTA, ending at 5:00 with a cocktail reception on the CMA exhibit floor. Please note that the ASA registration practice has changed. Online registration and payment of the meeting fee ($150 per person) is the new requirement and I'm pleased that many of you have registered so far! Please Register Here View the Spring Meeting Agenda Here If you have not yet registered to attend the CMA Shipping 2015 Conference and would like to, you may do so by following this link. Lloyd's List North American Maritime Awards The American Salvage Association was nominated for one of Lloyd's List North American Maritime Awards, the Marine Casualty Award, for the Expansion of our Mission. Todd Schauer, Vice President of ASA, attended the Awards ceremony on February 18, 2015 in Houston, Texas, and accepted the award (yes, we won!) for the association. "It was a superb event and a great honor to accept the award on behalf of the ASA. The real credit belongs to the many ASA members that are steadily expanding their capabilities and influence in the US and globally with innovative, professional, and cost effective salvage services," said Mr. Schauer. Damian Allan, Resolve Marine Group also attended the Lloyd's List event.
Oil Spill Control Expert and Jazz Producer Who knew that Dave Usher, Marine Pollution Control, had parallel careers as an oil spill control expert and jazz producer? In Dave's new book, Music Is Forever: Dizzy, the Jazz Legend, and Me, he chronicles his 50-year friendship with the late jazz great, Dizzy Gillespie, the creator of bebop. This friendship began when Dave was 14, and lasted until the jazz trumpeter died in January 1993. Dave describes the relationship as "brother-like" between the musician and himself, and he traveled the globe with Gillespie. The book describes funny as well as sad stories and covers Dave's work as a jazz producer with other great jazz musicians as well, including making the first recordings of artists Jackie Wilson, and Little Willie John. So, while we think of Marine Pollution Control or even Spill Control Association of America when we think of Dave Usher, there's a whole other side of him to explore! Education Committee The American Salvage Association Education Committee benefited from industry support by a fundraiser hosed by TITAN Salvage, Crowley Maritime Corp.'s Houston-based marine salvage, emergency response and wreck removal company. "The event was a great success and we had a very good turn out from our sponsors to the extended Houston Maritime community," said Lindsay Malen, ASA Education Committee member and organizer of this event. The event was sponsored by individual donations and company sponsors including TITAN Salvage, Smit Salvage, Cashman Equipment, Future Care, Martin Ottaway, McAllister Towing, and Svitzer Salvage. Supporting sponsors were Global Diving, Houston Pilots, Mammoet, Strausberger Law, and T&T Salvage. The event raised over $14,000 USD, and all proceeds from the event are going to support ASA Education Committee scholarships and science fair prizes.
Doug Martin, Education Committee chairman had this to say about the fundraiser: "The Education Committee of the ASA wish to thank all who contributed and attended the event. A special thank you is extended to Lindsay Malen for her work in assembling the program and pleasant evening. The money raised will go to good use providing scholarships to both undergraduate and high school students. Past winners have been recognized by both academic, government, non-government, and industry organizations resulting in various opportunities for the students that otherwise would not have been possible. We look forward to continuing and expanding the success of the program. Thank you!" Attendees had the opportunity to explore the Houston Maritime Museum and network amongst friends and colleagues, while enjoying cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a dinner buffet. "It was a wonderful time for a wonderful cause and next time we will raise even more! We are very thankful to the Houston Maritime Museum (HMM) for donating their space and look forward to seeing HMM grow as an attraction for those who visit Houston" said Lindsay. About American Salvage Association's (ASA) Education Committee The American Salvage Association's (ASA) Education Committee is committed to promoting general maritime industry interest with a focus on marine salvage, and to help develop maritime industry expertise through interactive experience with ASA salvage professionals. Additional information can be found at: www.americansalvage.org/education-committee.php. The ASA's Educational Committee's goal is to support career development in all maritime disciplines inclusive of, but not limited to, the development of both licensed and unlicensed seafarers, and encouragement for licensed officers to reach senior officer status and to gain experience at sea. For non-seafarers, the promotion of math, sciences, engineering, naval architecture, diving, environmental sciences, robotics, marine insurance, maritime law, ocean engineering, accounting, logistics, and other related fields is a focus of the Committee. As you can tell from these pictures, a great time and a worthy cause can go hand in hand!
Training Committee Jim Elliott has announced that he and his training committee have two up-coming ASA Marine Salvage Response courses scheduled. March 25-27, 2015 the training committee will be with the 7th Coast Guard District, Savannah, GA. On April 14-16, 2015, they will be with the 11th Coast Guard District, Alameda, CA.