A 10-minute film has been made about the historic winter fuel delivery to Nome, Alaska, which required the cooperation of the American icebreaker Healy and the Russian tanker Renda. WQIS is proud to say that we insure this vessel, and we insured it for this voyage.

Watch the video on youtube.com.

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc, a non-profit organization with the goal of rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and oiled native wild birds, presented the first Effects of Oil on Wildlife (EOW) Conference in 1982. Thirty years later, the conference is even more relevant and necessary than it was at its inception. This year’s theme, “Global Impacts: Many Species, One Response” will be especially important, following several major spills around the world.

WQIS is acting as both a participant and a sponsor in this year’s conference, which will be held January 24–28 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  For more information or to register for the event, please visit: www.eow2012.org.

James Nawojchik Brings Established Marine Industry Leadership

January 3, 2012 (New York, NY)—On Dec 1, 2011, James Nawojchik became the 18th Chairman of the Board for the Water Quality Insurance Syndicate (WQIS), succeeding Robert Gallagher in that top post.

James began his career at Great American Insurance Company in New York in 1987, joining a three-year Underwriting Management training program that concluded with his appointment to Ocean Marine Underwriter.  In 1991, he accepted a position at Switzerland Marine Managers, division of Swiss Re, as Senior Marine Underwriter in New York, responsible for the cargo and hull underwriting of this MGA. James was then recruited by and joined the Home Insurance Company as Senior Marine Underwriter in 1992, where he was later appointed Assistant Branch Manager. In June of 1995, Zurich-American acquired the marine portfolio of the Home Insurance Company and James was named Branch Manager.

In 1999 James was named Eastern Regional Manager and Assistant Vice-President, responsible for managing the Atlanta and New York Ocean Marine books and the Chicago branch of Inland Marine consisting of Fine Art and Jewelers Block.  In January of 2001, he assumed the role of Vice President, Chief Operations Officer and in 2005, Nawojchik was named Senior Vice President and appointed to lead the marine practice nationally. Today, he leads marine branch underwriting operations in eight cities across the U.S. and Canada for all lines of marine.

Mr. Nawojchik earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Business Management from SUNY Maritime College, Fort Schuyler, New York. He has also completed post-graduate management programs with The College of Insurance, the Insurance Institute of America, Inc, and most recently, Northwestern University.

The team at WQIS welcomes this distinguished and capable leader in his new role and looks forward to much continued success under his tenure as Chairman.

Perhaps no other maritime organization has its finger closer to the pulse of marine environmental protection than the Water Quality Insurance Syndicate (WQIS), the syndicate formed by 15 major insurance companies to specialize in marine pollution insurance coverage for ships. Greg Trauthwein, Editor of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, visited Richard Hobbie III, President & CEO, WQIS, at his Manhattan office for his unique insights.

To understand the present it is helpful to know the past, and Richard Hobbie is a treasure-trove of maritime history in regards to water quality and pollution matters. According to Hobbie, the history of WQIS far transcends its founding in 1971, and in fact dates back to the mid 1940s, the end of World War II and the return of soldiers to the United States. Read more

This article was originally published in Maritime Reporter and Engineering News, July 2011, page 32. Click here to download a PDF version of the article.

The WQIS Policy Form 2007 will be switched over to the WQIS Worldwide Vessel Pollution Policy Form 2011 on September 1, 2011. The new form was released on June 1, 2011 and will be applicable to new and renewal businesses on or after that date.

Since 1971, WQIS has continually evolved and adapted its policy form to make certain that assured’s needs and interests are protected in this ever-changing marine environment. One thing that hasn’t changed is WQIS’ unwavering focus on providing effective products to ensure the broadest coverage possible for its clients.

The new 2011 form was developed to better reflect the current state of the industry – enhancing coverage where gaps existed, improving organization, providing simplification and adjusting to recent legal decisions. Read more about the specific changes in the new policy.

Clients who wish to continue on with the 2007 Policy Form, subject to certain amended conditions, may do so by negotiating with your underwriter before August 31, 2011.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW FORM

Forty years is a considerable amount of time anyway you cut it. But for the marine pollution liability industry, it’s an entire lifetime. WQIS, which essentially founded the industry in 1971, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2011 with signature moments taking place throughout the year.

The anchor event was a cocktail party at The Public House in New York’s midtown. Attended by close to 300 industry professionals, it was a veritable who’s-who of the marine industry. “We wanted an event that was simple and elegant, but that really said ‘thank you’ to all of those in attendance as they’re the ones who have helped us reach this milestone,” said Richard Hobbie, President of WQIS.

“This is a big deal for us,” said Russ Brown, Executive Vice President of WQIS. “As a company we’ve been part of the industry since day-one and to this day our leadership role is something we take very seriously. This forty year history is something we take great pride in.”

Another key event of this anniversary year for WQIS has been the release of their policy form 2011. The purpose of this update, which has been in progress for nearly two years, is to enhance coverage where gaps existed, improve organization, provide simplification, enhance competitive position and adjust to recent legal decisions. The WQIS Worldwide Vessel Pollution Policy Form 2011 was first issued on June 1, 2011.

Photos: Taken at the WQIS 40th anniversary party at The Public House in New York, NY.

Nearly two years after the passing of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements the Coast Guard and EPA have come to an agreement on how to enforce it. The two organizations have joined forces under the Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, to enforce this new law. Under the MOU, the Coast Guard and the EPA agree to cooperate with requests by the other agency for available information, documents, or testimonies useful in carrying out responsibilities under the VGP.

The VGP applies to more than 61,000 commercial vessels in the United States and to more than 8,000 foreign vessels operating in the navigable waters of the United States. Upon implementation in February 2009, the VGP established operation, reporting, and record keeping requirements for 26 types of discharges incidental to the normal operation of these vessels, such as deck run-off, ballast water, and gray water. The VGP also established inspection and monitoring requirements and requires corrective actions be taken to address compliance deficiencies.

The MOU is a signal that federal enforcement of the VGP program will be much more active and aggressive than in the past.

In 2009 WQIS reviewed the matter and concluded that insurance coverage can play a significant role in protecting vessel operators from portions of this new liability.

The WQIS Vessel General Permit Policy 2009 provides:

• Indemnity for certain civil, administrative and criminal penalties that may be assessed for violation of the Vessel General Permit for insured vessels;
• Reimbursement for certain corrective action required under thepermit; and
• Investigation and defense of insured liabilities.

In general the policy excludes:

• Corrective actions covered by any other insurance policy.
• Corrective actions arising from wear, tear and gradual deterioration.
• Knowing violations and false statements.
• Failure to file a Notice of Intent.
• Aquatic Invasive Species.
• Failure to establish self-monitoring, inspection, record keeping or reporting systems.
• Failure to comply with education and training requirements for maintenance, monitoring and reporting.

About WQIS

WQIS is the largest U.S.-based underwriter of pollution liability insurance for marine vessels. With 40 years in the industry, no one has more marine pollution insurance and spill response expertise, or offers more innovative coverage to the marine community. WQIS is dedicated to providing the broadest coverage and creating the most responsive organization to serve the needs of their clients.

For details concerning the Vessel General Permit requirements visit the EPA website at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/vgpermit.cfm.

For the full article visit http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/article.asp?articleid=125286

WQIS maintains this IMO Bunker Convention Status for your convenience. Check back for updates as additional States become party to the Convention.

All data is documented from the IMO website, http://www.imo.org.