American Club Contributes Environmental Crimes Posters to NAMEPA

Port chaplain partners to distribute 12,000 copies to help educate seafarers

SOUTHPORT, CT( November 10): The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) announced today that the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) has donated 12,000 copies of its poster advocating against environmental crimes for distribution to seafarers in North America. Through NAMEPA’s strategic alliance with port chaplains, the posters will be given during ship visits, and be available at seafarer’s centers. This program is part of NAMEPA’s education efforts to “Save our Seas”.

“The American Club is delighted to participate in NAMEPA’s education program,” stated Dr. William H. Moore, Senior Vice President of the American Club. “We believe that educating the seafarer is an important link in the prevention of environmental crimes. The “Bypassing Oily Water Separator” poster is part of our Loss Prevention Poster series developed to help our members, and the marine community at large, to increase safety of life at sea, and protect the marine environment.”

“NAMEPA is committed to education of our seafarers, port communities and children,” remarked NAMEPA Founding Chairman Clay Maitland. “We are delighted that the American Club has partnered with us to “Save our Seas” through the distribution of their powerful poster. It is by leveraging our strategic partnerships that a true impact can be made to reduce environmental crimes and reduce marine pollution.”

The posters depict oily water separator violators being taken to jail with the admonition “Bypassing the oily water separator is a short cut to jail”. This poser is one of a series produced by the American Club; other posters include “Ship Security” and “Take control of Fatigue”. Port chaplains, who are members of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) and the Apostleship of the Sea, will be distributing the posters beginning this week.

American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) was established in New York in 1917. It is the only mutual Protection and Indemnity Club domiciled in the United States – indeed, in the entire Americas. The Club is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs, a collective of thirteen mutuals which together provide Protection and Indemnity insurance for some 95% of all world shipping. The American Club has been successful in recent years in building on its US heritage to create a truly international insurer with a global reach second-to-none in the industry. Day-to-day management of the American Club is provided by Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. from its headquarters in New York. Additional resources are provided by SCB’s subsidiary offices in London, Piraeus and Shanghai. See www.american-club.com.

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association was officially launched at the World Maritime Day Observance in New York last year, and just celebrated its one year anniversary. In keeping with the mission of MEPAs worldwide, its overall aim is to increase environmental awareness and motivation of the human element within shipping and land-based industries that have a vested interest in preservation of the marine environment. More specifically, NAMEPA has the goal of educating seafarers and the wider public and school communities about the critical importance of the world’s oceans to mankind. Through its strategic alliances with port chaplains, and industry and marine interests, NAMEPA reaches seafarers and port communities in most ports in North America. Additionally, through its alliances, NAMEPA will connect with over 5 million children with the message of protecting the marine environment.

NAMEPA is an industry led initiative to “Save the Seas”, and welcomes members who share this mission. For more information, go to www.namepa.net. Media contact: Carleen Lyden-Kluss +203 255 4686