BSA

THE BAHAMAS SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION

The Association:

- is a group with common interests and a common purpose;

- pools knowledge and experience;

- fosters collective representation in putting views across to the Bahamas Maritime Authority; and

- holds regular Executive Committee meetings to review proposals that would affect the shipping industry.

The Bahamas Shipowners Association was inaugurated in London on 11 July 1997 by The Bahamas Minister of Transport, James F Knowles. An Executive Committee was elected which represents a cross section of the fleet, from ferry and shortsea, cruise ships, reefer, high quality tankers and operators of dry bulk carriers.

The BMA, with the support of the Association, with its substantial tonnage and wide representation of owners from all parts of the world, is proving to be an influential body in the shipping world.

A constitution was approved which set out the objectives and provisions of the Association.

Objectives:

To promote the interests of owners of Bahamian registered vessels and to facilitate dialogue between the Bahamas Maritime Authority and shipowners.
To offer owners the chance to be proactive in discussing prospective international policy changes, especially with regard to IMO deliberations.
To meet with international bodies such as the European Community and the US Coast Guard to lobby on behalf of the interests of Bahamas flagged vessels.

Provisions:

A Secretariat based within the Maritime Authority which provides a Secretary to liaise with the Executive Committee, members and IMO Correspondent and a Treasurer who keeps accounts and issues yearly and budget accounts.
The appointment of an IMO Correspondent who enables owners to be better informed about the work of the IMO so that they can offer their views and advice to The Bahamas representatives at the IMO and international gatherings. The Correspondent reviews papers in advance of the main committee and sub-committee meetings; summarises the key issues for circulation; gathers views from members with a particular interest and relays these to The Bahamas representative. The Correspondent also attends key parts of the relevant meetings; follows the progress and prepares a report on the outcome of the various meetings. The Executive Committee meets at least three times per year to review meeting papers and to formulate the Association's position on IMO issues.

MEETINGS

An Annual General Meeting of the Association is held in different major port cities worldwide.

INFORMATION

For further information please contact the Secretariat on +44 20 7562 1342 if calling outside the UK or 020 7562 1342 in the UK. Facsimile: 020 7614 0686

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman:

Dale P Ploughman

President & CEO

Golden Energy Marine Corp

Deputy - Chairman:

Kenneth Engstrom

Executive Vice President, Operations

International Shipping Partners

Members:

Antonios Faraklas

Director

Chartworld Shipping Corp.

Capt. Carl F  Wass

Regional Marine Superintendent

Marine Assurance Group

Chevron Shipping LLC

Johan H Meincke

Director, Fleet  Management

Clipper Group A/S

Joseph L Valenti

Senior Vice President, Marine Operations

Crystal Cruises

Capt. Gilles Raymond

Fleet Manager

Delmas Fleet Management

Christopher Oliver

Assistant Vice President

Fleet Performance/Technical

Gearbulk (UK) Ltd

Jason Bennett

Commercial Manager

Smit Salvage BV

Garth Halanen

Group Safety Advisor

Stena Line Limited

David Robinson

Vice President, Fleet Operations

Teekay Shipping Ltd

Tariq Khan

Marine Safety & Quality  Manager

V Ships (UK) Limited

Committee members are available for discussion about the Association and/or for issues of concern. If you would like to contact a member, please feel free to address your correspondence via the Secretariat at:

The Secretary

The Bahamas Shipowners Association

120 Old Broad Street

London EC2N 1AR

Tel: +44 20 7562 1342

Fax: +44 20 7614 0686

Email: bsa@bahamasmaritime.com

Secretary:

Miss Melanie Knowles

Tel: +44 20 7562 1342

Fax: +44 20 7614 0686

Email: mknowles@bahamasmaritime.com

BAHAMAS SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

NAME

1. The name of the Association shall be "The Bahamas Shipowners Association".

OBJECTIVES

2. The objectives of the Association shall be:

- To promote the interests of owners of Bahamian registered vessels.

- To provide a forum for dialogue between the Bahamas Maritime Authority and Bahamian shipowners, allowing shipowners to comment on the Authority's policies and practices, and allowing the Authority to consult shipowners on topical matters.

- To ensure that The Bahamas representatives at the IMO are fully briefed on the implications for Bahamian shipowners of all proposals under consideration in that forum; to provide support and assistance to such representatives; and to provide similar briefings and support to Bahamas representatives at other relevant meetings.

MEMBERSHIP

3. Membership of the Association shall be open to any person, partnership, company or other corporate body owning a ship, or a portion of a ship, registered in The Bahamas. If a member ceases to own any such ship, he shall immediately cease to be a member of the Association.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

4. Persons or bodies, not being owners of Bahamian registered vessels, who have an interest in the well-being of the Bahamian registered fleet may apply to join the Association as associate members. All such applications shall be considered by the Executive Committee, whose decision on the matter shall be final. Associate members shall not be entitled to vote, and shall not be eligible to serve on the Executive Committee, but may otherwise attend all meetings of the Association.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

5. Each member of the Association shall pay to the Association an annual subscription of $150 for every ship which he owns which is registered under The Bahamas flag. Associate members shall pay an annual subscription of $1,000. Subscriptions shall be due on 1 January each year. If a member has failed to pay his subscription by 31 March his membership shall cease, unless and until the subscription is paid. No refunds shall be paid if a member or associate member leaves the Association part way through the year.

The level of subscriptions may from time to time be amended by way of a resolution passed at a general meeting of the Association.

CHAIRMAN

6. There shall be a Chairman of the Association, elected by the members at a general meeting of members. The Chairman shall serve for a period of three years, and will be eligible for re-election at the conclusion of his term of office.

DEPUTY CHAIRMEN

6a. Deputy Chairmen may be elected by the Executive Committee to represent geographical areas. They shall serve for a period of three years and be eligible for re-election at the conclusion of their term of office.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

7. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Association comprised of the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and up to fifteen members elected by members of the Association in a general meeting. Elected members shall serve for a period of three years and shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Committee may co-opt up to six additional members, if judged desirable to ensure that all interests of the membership are adequately represented.

The Executive Committee shall meet not less than twice a year, to receive reports from the Authority on progress with current issues. Five members of the Committee, including the officers, shall constitute a quorum. The Executive Committee may appoint sub-committees to consider specific issues. Such sub-committees shall be drawn from all members of the Association, including associate members.

SECRETARY AND TREASURER

8. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be nominated by the Bahamas Maritime Authority, who will be responsible for their remuneration. The administrative functions of the Secretariat may be out-sourced to a contractor, whose charges will be met by the Association.

ANNUAL MEETING

9. The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and place as shall be decided by the Executive Committee.

The business of each Annual General Meeting shall include, among other things,

- Election of the Chairman and other Committee members, as necessary.

- Receipt of a report from the Chairman in respect of the preceding year.

- Receipt and, if deemed accurate, adoption of the accounts of the Association for the preceding year.

GENERAL MEETINGS

10. Other general meetings of all members of the Association may be called at anytime, on the order of the Chairman.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS

11. The day, time and place of the Annual General Meeting and of any other general meetings shall be communicated to members not less than twenty eight days before the date of the meeting. The Secretary shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that all members are properly notified of such meetings, but the non receipt of a notification by a member shall not invalidate the proceedings of the meeting.

NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVES

12. Every member or associate member of the Association may nominate a person to represent him at any meeting of the Association, and to vote on his behalf (except for associate members).

AFFILIATION TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS

13. The Association may choose to affiliate to other organisations with similar or related objectives. Any such decision to affiliate shall be taken at a general meeting.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

14. The Treasurer shall be responsible for safeguarding the Association's funds and for disbursing them in accordance with such directions as the Executive Committee may give. The funds shall be used in support of the Association's objectives as set out in directive 2, and in particular:

- to meet the cost of circulating information to members;

- to meet the cost of the Secretary, Treasurer and IMO Correspondent attending Association meetings; and

- to meet the cost of arranging Executive Committee and general meetings.

The Association shall have no power to borrow, other than from the Bahamas Maritime Authority.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for preparing annual accounts for the Association, and for submitting them for approval to the next Annual General Meeting following the year to which the accounts relate. The accounting year shall run from 1 July to 30 June.

In the event of a dissolution of the Association any surplus will be applied to the benefit of the interest of the membership.

AMENDMENT TO RULES

15. These rules may be amended by resolution at a general meeting of the Association. If a vote is required, a simple majority of those voting shall suffice.