ABS Establishes Post-Katrina Support Systems To Offer Uninterrupted Service

Published Aug 31, 2005 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

(Houston, TX---) ABS has established alternative offices and replacement communication systems in the wake of devastating hurricane Katrina that has required the indefinite closure of the class society's New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama offices. New Orleans serves as the headquarters of the society's extensive Central Division, housing a large engineering department in addition to survey and administrative staff.

"Our first concern is for the safety of the 71 ABS employees who have been personally affected by this overwhelming storm," said Todd Grove, President, ABS Americas. "Because the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans was ordered on a Saturday, with residents urged to leave the city as quickly as possible, we are still attempting to locate and verify the safety of all the affected employees. The majority have now called in from taking refuge in several of the neighboring states."

ABS has moved quickly to establish a satellite Central District headquarters in Beaumont, Texas that will orchestrate the provision of uninterrupted survey services throughout the affected Gulf Coast region. "Fortunately our large survey office in Morgan City, Louisiana was relatively unaffected by the storm," said Grove. "We have adequate staff available to meet all survey requests and a new command center to coordinate their activities."

Computer and communication networks are being established to provide full logistical support. Engineering activities will be allocated between the ABS Americas headquarters in Houston and the Morgan City office.

It is expected to be several days before a full assessment of the ABS offices in the two cities can be undertaken. It could be several weeks before operations can be returned to pre-hurricane normality. "Fortunately we have a great team of very resilient people who are being supported by the tremendous infrastructure that ABS has in Houston and the other Gulf Coast ports."

For more information, contact:
Susan V. Gonzalez, ABS Corporate Communications, 1 281 877-5853 or [email protected].