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INTRODUCTION
This month has not been quiet although there have been no meetings at the IMO this month. There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes in the HQ office and a major clearance of materials and redundant furniture.
There has also been movement on the membership front and the negotiations for having a new branch in Malta. This is a move to build on recent new Member Associations and one that may join soon.
IMO
This month has seen no meetings in the IMO Annual Calendar. This does not mean that no work is being done.
MEETINGS
NGO GROUP MEETING
20 – June – 2013
At IFSMA HQ
There were a number of responses after the meeting and all of the feedback was positive. So hopefully the next meeting for the end of this year will see it grow.
There has been a request from the International Salvage Union (ISU) to join the group.
VIDEOTEL
There has been no movement with VIDEOTEL during this month, but as agreed this will pick up in the autumn.
PUKKA FILMS
On-going and progressing a potential project on the Criminalization of the Seafarer. This will take time and has to be looked at carefully from all angles.
SEAFARER’S RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL (SRI)
This is an on-going and open ended relationship between both organizations. One of the topics is the project to produce a DVD or equivalent on the subject of the “Criminalization of the Seafarer”.
Others topics that are being progressed are criminal cases such as the Master of the Maas Trader in jail in Panama. The Master in jail in Spain who has terminal cancer and trying to have his sentenced commuted on humanitarian grounds. There is also the matter of 2 Masters in prison in Sao Tome and Principe (Gulf of Guinea).
There is also the matter of progressing human rights of seafarers throughout the maritime industry.
Maritime Piracy: Human Response Programme (MPHRP)
All quiet on this front. Matters should pick up after the summer.
NAUTICAL INSTITUTE (NI)
All quiet, nothing will be happening until after the summer. We have been assisting the NI with candidates for the Presidency of the Baltic Region NI Branch.
GlobalMET
Christer Lindvall the President of IFSMA will be attending the GlobalMET meeting after the M&T Conference in Manila in October 2013.
There are discussions ongoing with GlobalMET in respect of a possible one day conference/seminar immediately after the M&T Conference. This would be in conjunction with AMUSOP; updates will follow as this is firmed up.
INTERNATIONAL MARINE PILOT ASSOCATIONS (IMPA)
Initial discussions have been held to discuss the use of Pilot Exemption Certificates (PECs). At this time there are no definitive statistics in respect of this matter. IFSMA does not oppose PECs as long as everyone involved is in agreement, but there are a number of unsubstantiated reports of Masters being coerced to take such action to save on pilot use and costs. No action can be taken; there has been a consensus with the Member Associations and a plan has been agreed.
Safety4Sea Forum
This will take place in October 2013 in Athens Greece. IFSMA has once again been asked to speak at this conference and has accepted.
Hanson Wade Conference – Security in Challenging Environments (28-31 October)
IFSMA has been invited to speak at and also take part in plenary sessions at this conference which is being held in London. Development on speaking papers and this matter will be circulated later
Honorary Members’ Lunch – 25 September 2013
This special occasion is progressing well and 6 of the 9 Honorary Members have accepted the invitations. These include the present and previous two Secretary Generals of the IMO. All members of the Executive Council have replied and will be attending as well as the Secretariat. This will take place on the second day of the forthcoming Executive Council Meeting scheduled for 24 September 2013. The lunch is being held at the Bank Restaurant and photographs will be taken and published on the website. This is a unique event and shows the commitment of IFSMA and its members.
Ship Master Professional Indemnity Insurance
IFSMA HQ has been researching a possible line of insurance. There have been a number of failed attempts, but one lead found by Captain Paul Owen, Deputy Secretary General is being progressed and it is hoped that this will be fruitful. A meeting is proposed for the 3rd September to identify if there is a way forward.
Project MARTHA
IFSMA is now a stakeholder in this project which will move the agenda of the Project Horizon on to the next level. The IFMSA Sec Gen is the contact person and will report on the progress of this project and any input made.
Membership
Malta
This is now being progressed and will be ongoing over the next few months. This will never be a large branch, but it is important to have a presence with Malta being one of the largest flags.
Venezuela
IFSMA has been approached by Masters from Venezuela to initiate negotiations in respect of the Master Mariners Association in Venezuela to join IFMSA. These negotiations are at an early stage and it is hoped that the negotiations can be successful.
Panama
There has been an approach from a member in Panama about reconvening the branch there. There has been some communication but currently everything has gone quiet but we will wait and see and pursue this after the summer.
Outstanding Fees
As of the end of August 3 Member Associations have fees outstanding. If this is still the case in September then this matter will become an agenda item for the Executive Council to decide on the action to be taken.
A number of Individual Members have outstanding fees. This is being followed up and appropriate action will be taken.
AGA 40 - SandeFjord, Norway
The date for this event has still to be set. After Council at IMO there was no firm date set for 2014 MSC, but it is expected that the provisional date will be firmed up. If all goes to plan it should be possible to plan for early June 2014 for the AGA. Because of the number of items that need to be attended to during this AGA, the Agenda and timetable will be full. One of the major items will be the change of personnel to act on the Executive Council and the membership details.
Special Case
The case of the Marida Melissa and Durgit Integrity has been developing over the past few months with the Masters of both vessels being jailed for 3 years by the legal system of Sao Tome and Principe in the Gulf of Guinea, Africa.
President Christer Lindvall has been leading this case and has now requested that the Secretariat use its connections influence to build up support to try and obtain the release of these two Masters.
Progress Report: IMPA has assisted us on this matter. The case was circulated to all Member Associations and the French Pilots’ Association took this up with the French Shipowners who have now had it forwarded to the French Government to see if any action can be taken. This action is really appreciated by all concerned and it shows how the relationship of IFSMA with other NGOs is assisting in progressing matters.
Review of Statutes and Bye-Laws
The Statutes and Bye-laws of IFSMA are being reviewed with a view to change to reflect the current changes in society and demands being met by many Associations. It is clear that the Association will have to evolve to remain and grow.
No changes will be made without them being presented at the AGA and voted on. It is hoped that this can be achieved by March 2014 and circulated to the membership for review before the AGA so that everyone is aware of the proposals and the effect on membership and the way the Association is run.
Renovation of HQ
This project has been moving along quietly in the background. At this time there has been a major removal of obsolete documents, records and files as well as furniture. This is in preparation for decoration and changes to the office. A full report of what is taking place and costs will be presented to the Ex Co Meeting commencing on the 24th September 2013. What is agreed will be circulated and allow for members to assess the improvements and costs involved.
No work will be commenced without the relevant approval being received.
Captain John W. Dickie
Secretary General IFSMA
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