conference

Captain Christopher Hearn

Director, Centre for Marine Simulation, Marine Institute of Memorial University

Member of the Nautical Institute (MNI) and current President of the Master Mariners of Canada, Captain Christopher Hearn began his career after graduating from the Marine Institute’s Nautical Science Program. He quickly moved his way through the marine ranks and certification to Master Mariner and obtained command of several types of vessels in the deep sea and subsea sectors as well as operations in the Arctic.

First coming ashore as a Marine Superintendent of operations with companies engaged in subsea cable laying and repair, seismic work, and general cargo operations, he was involved with resolving issues dealing with Flag state and Class and identifying training methods for improving competency among crews.

Captain Hearn returned to the Marine Institute in 2008 as the Director of the Centre for Marine Simulation. The Centre is the largest and most comprehensive marine simulation facility in North America and covers an entire range of training, industrial assistance, and research and development capabilities through the use of simulation technology. CMS’s particular areas of expertise include the modeling and simulation of harsh maritime environments including navigation in ice, simulation of offshore oil and gas operations, and port design evaluation and operational risk analysis.

Captain David (Duke) Snider FNI, AFNI

Captain David (Duke) Snider is the CEO and Principal Consultant of Martech Polar Consulting Ltd, a privately-owned company providing global ice navigation services and support for polar shipping, ice navigation, polar research, expedition logistics support and ice related consulting services. Martech Polar provides Ice Navigators on cargo, research, cruise and expedition ships and private yachts in ice covered waters worldwide. Martech Polar is heavily involved in assisting owners and operators to meet Polar Code requirements through completion of Operational Assessments and Polar Waters Operations Manuals. Martech Polar has been recently recognized by International Transport News Maritime and Shipping Awards 2018 as “Best Ice Pilotage & Navigation Specialists – North America” and by CV Magazine’s Canadian Business Awards 2019 as “Best Polar Ice Navigation & Pilotage Specialists 2019”.

Captain Snider is a Master Mariner with over 40 years at sea, operating many vessels in a broad variety of ice regimes in Arctic and Antarctic Polar Regions, the Baltic, Great Lakes and Eastern North American waters.  He has served onboard Naval, Commercial and Coast Guard Vessels. He retired from Canadian Coast Guard service as Regional Director Fleet Western Region in 2013 to run his own company. He remains active at sea, holding both Polar Waters Advanced Certificate of Proficiency and The Nautical Institute Ice Navigator Level 2 Certification. As a marine consultant he has extensive experience in authoring and contributing to numerous shipping feasibility studies, as expert witness in marine insurance arbitrations and cases as well as marine industry safety and risk reviews.

As an Ice Navigator Captain Snider has been the author of and contributed to many ice regime shipping feasibility studies as well as numerous papers on ice navigation. The second edition of Captain Snider’s authoritative book Polar Ship Operations was published by the Nautical Institute in 2018 is soon to be released in a Spanish edition.  He holds a Bachelor of Maritime Studies degree granted by Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2011 for his many years as a member of The Nautical Institute dedicated to improving safety at sea, with particular focus on improving standards of ice navigation. His honours also include the Canadian Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medal and the United States Coast Guard Antarctic Service Medal. He was recently awarded the Maritime Museum of British Columbia Beaver Medal for outstanding achievements in polar navigation including roles in promoting internationally recognized ice navigation qualifications.

Captain Snider is the Past President of The Nautical Institute and now sits on the Institutes Executive Board. He is Chair of the Ice Navigator Working Group which is tasked with administering The Nautical Institute’s global standard for Ice Navigator Training and Certification Standard. He is a member of The Nautical Institute’s NGO delegation to IMO on matters of ice and polar navigation.

Captain Milton Baron

Capt. Milton Baron is a Technical Officer of the Maritime Training and Human Element section, Maritime Safety Division, in the International Maritime Organization (IMO). dealing with training and certification of seafarers under STWC Convention. He is currently responsible for the implementation of technical cooperation programmes related to training of seafarers and fishing vessel personnel and in particular with the implementation of the IMO’s Polar Code Training Programme.  Most recently, he implemented six regional train-the-trainer workshop for seafarers on ships operating in polar waters in the Artic and Antarctic regions.  Capt. Baron is a former officer in the Colombian Navy and was the former Director of the maritime transport control centre at the General Maritima Directorate, Bogota Colombia.

John Lloyd FNI CMMar

Captain John Lloyd has been Chief Executive of The Nautical Institute since May 2017 having formerly been Chief Operating Officer.  

Previously he was Professor, Maritime Training at the Australian Maritime College (AMC).  In 2014 he inaugurated a new maritime college in Angola following a two-year development programme developed in conjunction with the City of Glasgow College and Sonangol Shipping.

Prior to this he held appointments as: Chief Executive Officer of the Vanuatu Maritime College in Santo, Vanuatu; and senior posts at Flagship Training Limited and Warsash Maritime Centre.

John is a Master Mariner and served as a Marine Pilot in Namibia from 1994 – 1995.  He is a Master of Business Administration, a Freeman of the (UK) Honourable Company of Master Mariners a Younger Brother of Trinity House and a Chartered Master Mariner.

He travels extensively representing the work of The Nautical Institute and sharing his passion for safer shipping and professionalism in the maritime sector.

His ambition is to grow the membership and influence of The Nautical Institute as the leading professional body for mariners.  In doing so he Chairs the Human Element Industry Group of NGOs from the IMO and works on initiatives to develop the Institute’s contribution to professional standards.

Captain Patrick Marchesseau

Captain Patrick MARCHESSEAU is an experienced shipmaster of 19 years as master, including 12 years in polar region (Arctic & Antarctica). He was born in France, he graduated from the French Merchant Marine Academy of Marseille and he studied as well at the United States Merchant Marine Academy of Kings Point, New York. In 1998, he got the Master certificate of Ocean Seagoing Vessel.

He started his career as officer onboard passenger’s vessel in 1993 and he got promoted as master in 2003.
He is working for PONANT, a French expedition cruise company since 2003.

In 2008, Captain MARCHESSEAU was master of the sailing vessel “LE PONANT”, when she was hijacked by Somali pirates, during one week.
Between 2010 & 2011, he was the captain of the MS “Turanor Planetsolar”, the 1st solar- powered boat ever to circumnavigate the globe.
Sailing as master in Antarctica Peninsula and Svalbard, East & West Greenland, Baffin & Ellesmere Island, North West & North East Passage, he got the Polar Advanced certificate & Qualified Ice Navigator (Transport Canada).

Captain MARCHESSEAU followed the construction in Norway of the PC2 Icebreaker “Le Commandant Charcot” and he is presently master of this vessel.

Captain MARCHESSEAU’s personal awards include the Medal of “Chevalier of the Légion of Honour” & Medal of “Chevalier of the Mérite Maritime ».

Jack Gallagher

Jack Gallagher, a Master Mariner, enjoyed a twenty-two year career with the Canadian Coast Guard gathering a broad range of operational and management experience.  For the past twenty-four years Jack has run Hammurabi Consulting, an international practice based in Halifax.  The spectrum of work has included high level policy and legislation development, risk assessment and mitigation, auditing against international standards, development and delivery of bespoke training and operational level guidance.  Captain Gallagher has been an adjunct instructor at the Center for Marine Simulation and a guest lecturer at several universities and maritime schools in Canada, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

Desmond Raymond

Regional Director Marine Safety and Security, Prairie and Northern Region, Transport Canada

Des Raymond grew up in Newfoundland and has been involved in the marine field since obtaining his Bos’n ticket at 17 in 1988 while a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. After obtaining his diploma in Naval Architecture from the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1996 and starting his career as a naval architect with Zodiac SA du France in Vancouver the day after his final exam, he has worked in both the private and public sectors in the marine, civil engineering, management and executive leadership fields.

Since joining Transport Canada as an executive in 2009 he has served as the Regional Director of Marine Safety and Security for the Prairie and Northern Region (2009-17 and present ), Pacific Region (2016) and Atlantic Region (2021-22) as well as serving as the Senior Advisor and Arctic Liaison for the Oceans Protection Plan (2017-2020) where he was responsible for mobilizing partnerships for 30+ projects throughout Inuit Nunangat and was also a member of the Government of Canada’s negotiation team that partnered with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association in negotiating and creating Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area in 2019 – the largest national marine conservation area in the world. At present in his role as RD for PNR region he leads a team of 40+ professionals in ensuring oversight for marine safety and security throughout the Canadian Arctic in partnership with all of Transport Canada’s clients, partners and stakeholders.

Outside of work he is a lucky husband and proud father and artist – both on canvass, on the ice and golf course ☺

Michele L. Schallip

Captain
United States Coast Guard Captain Schallip is the Commanding Officer of USCGC Healy, the United States’ largest polar icebreaker. She leads the 84-member crew in conducting high latitude oceanographic research in support of national security and international scientific priorities in Alaskan and Arctic waters. Additionally, Healy provides a capable platform for supporting other missions in the polar regions such as logistics, search and rescue, ship escort, environmental protection, and enforcement of laws and treaties. 

Captain Schallip reports to USCGC Healy having served as the Special Assistant to the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. She has completed five afloat tours, including Deck Watch Officer in USCGC Boutwell, a 387-ft high endurance cutter; plankowning Commanding Officer in USCGC Cobia, an 87-ft patrol boat in Mobile, AL; Executive Officer in the USCGC Maple, a 225-ft sea going buoy tender in Sitka, AK, Commanding Officer in USCGC Spar, a 225-ft sea going buoy tender in Kodiak, AK, and most recently as Executive Officer in USCGC Healy. Staff tours include Senior Controller, Seventeenth Coast Guard District (Alaska) Command Center in Juneau, Alaska; Operations Officer, Vessel Traffic Service, Sector San Francisco, CA; Chief of the Executive Staff for the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship (CG-5) in Washington, D.C.; Chief, Waterways Management Branch for the Thirteenth Coast Guard District (Pacific Northwest) in Seattle, WA; and as Special Assistant to the Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.

A native of Neebish Island, MI, Captain Schallip is a graduate of Officer Candidate School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University; a Master of Public Administration from Grand Valley State University; and a Master of Arts, with Distinction, in National Security and Strategic Studies, from the U.S. Naval War College. She was a Fellow in the 2022-2023 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Program on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest. Captain Schallip is a 1600 gross ton near coastal merchant marine master and has held a commercial license since 1996.

Shane Sadoway

Shane Sadoway is the A/Director, Navigational Programs and Operations, Canadian Coast Guard, Arctic Region.

Shane is a Master Mariner with over 30 years of leadership experience. His interest in ships began in sea cadets and he became an instructor in the Navy Reserves working on training vessels over an 11 year period. During this time, he completed his degree at Université Laval, majoring in languages. He complemented his studies with a Diploma of Nautical Sciences from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

 His commercial career included roll-on/roll-off, passenger sailing ships, yachts, container ships, tug and barge, and refrigerated cargo ships.  He spent almost nine years with Northern Transportation Company Limited, most recently as the Marine Manager Arctic Operations. 

 From 2015 until 2022 Shane worked for Transport Canada, primarily as the Manager of Marine Safety for Prairie and Northern Region, but also as Manager of Port State Control and Compliance and Enforcement for Pacific Region

Captain Andre L. LeGoubin MNM MA FNI

Master Mariner – Underway Ship-to-Ship Mooring Master / Pilot
President – The Nautical Institute
Owner – DNA Marine USA LLC offering expert witness services and consultancy to the Maritime Industry

André is currently employed as a Mooring Master in the lightering trade, undertaking underway ship-to-ship transfers of oil, offshore in the USA and South America, having decided to return to sea in the summer of 2012 after over eight years ashore, working as a Marine Consultant in Houston, Texas.

He emigrated from the UK to the USA in January 2004, leaving the London Pilotage Service where he was a first class marine Pilot. Before becoming a Pilot, André was Master of high-speed ferries, initially hydrofoils, then mono- and multi-hull ro-ro/passenger vessels.

André’s seagoing career formally (he left school with almost 6 months sea time!) began with Cunard Shipping Services Ltd. where he served as a deck officer in various ranks, gaining experience of a wide variety of vessels.

In 2009 he achieved a Pass with Distinction, MA Work Based Learning Studies (Marine Accident Investigation), from Middlesex University, London and he was elected a Fellow of the Nautical Institute in the same year. Following on from his research degree, André wrote the book Mentoring at Sea – The 10 minute challenge which was published by the Nautical Institute in December 2012 and in October 2013 he was awarded the British Merchant Navy Medal for services to the maritime industry and The Nautical Institute.

In 2013 on request of some former clients, Andre founded DNA Marine USA LLC to offer his services as expert witness and consultant based on his over 40 year’s experience in the maritime industry.

In July 2022 he was elected President of The Nautical Institute.

André and his Wife live in Florida, USA and have three adult children, all settled in various parts of the US.

David Rivest

David Rivest is a seasoned leader in the maritime transportation and logistics sector, with a degree in business administration from Bishop’s University – Williams School of Business. He currently leads two divisions of Desgagnés, a maritime transportation and logistics company: Desgagnés Transarctik, which specializes in Arctic shipping and resupply services for community and mining sectors, and Desgagnés Logistik, which provides stevedoring, terminal handling, and value-added services for which Mr. Rivest played a key role in the acquisition and integration stages. He is responsible for the strategic planning and execution of both divisions’ visions, missions, goals, and objectives, as well as building and maintaining strategic partnerships, managing the overall performance, and pursing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Mr. Rivest has held various senior management positions in the maritime industry before joining Desgagnés in 2019. He worked for QSL, a leading stevedoring service provider, where he participated in organizational transformations, expansion projects, and port terminal management across Canada. He gained extensive knowledge of the supply chains for various industries such as steel, aluminium, paper products, agricultural products, and mining. He also served as the General Manager of Watson Transport, a transportation company that specialized in hauling heavy equipment and over-dimensional cargoes across North America and Mexico. His leadership and management skills are enhanced by his military background as a member of the Voltigeurs de Québec light infantry regiment, combined with over 15 years of experience in business development, operations, and business process improvement.

Mr. Rivest resides in the Montreal area with his wife and son. He is a passionate sportsman who has achieved feats in various sports such as martial arts, kayaking, long distance triathlons, and ultra marathons.

Dermot Loughnane

Dermot Loughnane brings a wealth of maritime expertise, combining 15 years of seafaring experience with 20 years in various shore-based roles within the shipping and oil and gas industries. As a seasoned Master Mariner, he also holds an MBA and a postgraduate diploma in shipping management.

His executive tenure includes leadership roles as Managing Director of Teekay Shipping Australia and CEO of Skaugen PetroTrans, alongside managing Petro Canada’s marine department.

His recent projects included chartering and operating RRS Ernest Shackleton in Canada during 2017 and 2018, aiding the Crystal Serenity’s Northwest Passage journey. Currently, he oversees the operations of MPSV Botnica and MSV Fennica on behalf of Baffinland in support of the Mary River mine project and serves as the principal icebreaking adviser for the Steensby Inlet project.

Loughnane has extensive experience with Arctic operations, both hands-on as an ice pilot and in the management of ice-class vessels. He now leads Tactical Marine Solutions Ltd., a marine management firm adept in designing and evaluating shipping systems, acquiring specialized vessels, and ensuring their safe, economical, and effective management.
Tactical Marine Solutions is dedicated to providing superior solutions for intricate shipping challenges, catering to shipping companies, resource industry marine departments, research institutes, and governmental bodies.

His contribution to the maritime sector is also marked by his past service as a board member of the Australian Shipowners Association, the Australian Maritime Defense Council, and Shipping Australia, as well as his chairmanship at the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Alexis Dorais

Ice Services, Fednav 

Alexis Dorais is manager of Ice Services at Fednav Limited. A beholder of a Master of Research in geography from Université de Montréal, he has been part of the Ice Service team for eleven years. Alexis’ team supports maritime operations in ice infested waters, including Fednav’s fleet of icebreaking bulk carriers that navigate year-round in Canadian polar waters. He is actively involved in the development of IceNav, an ice navigation system used by many types of vessels operating in icy waters worldwide.

Yumihiko Kobayashi

Yumihiko Kobayashi is a maritime professional with a specialization in research vessel. After studying at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, he began working in 2010 for a company that operate research vessels for the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). His role as a navigation officer and Marine SI provided him with valuable experience in ocean research work.

In 2023, Kobayashi joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), where he became involved in JAMSTEC’s Arctic research vessel project. His responsibilities included overseeing construction, preparing for operation, and devising crew training plans.

MOL will operate Japan’s first research vessel with ice-breaking capabilities, a critical asset for JAMSTEC’s Arctic research.

Rob Hindley

Rob is currently Head of Machinery & Structures at Aker Arctic. His role involves coordinating machinery systems, structural, and deck outfitting disciplines as well as consultancy work supporting the practical application of Arctic technology to new, and often novel, ice-going ships. In addition, Rob works in a project management role for early concept and tender design projects as well as acting as structures discipline lead across the design development process.

Previously Rob was Global Principal Specialist for Arctic technology at Lloyd’s Register, where he held overall technical authority for ice class, winterization and implementation of the Polar Code. This included an assignment representing IACS at the IMO during the development of the Polar Code. Rob has worked in Canada, the UK, the Middle East, and in South Korea in roles involving ship surveying, classification rule development and consultancy. He is a Chartered Engineer and holds a master’s degree in Naval Architecture from Newcastle University. He is currently undertaking postgraduate study at Aalto University with a focus on operational risks for Arctic shipping.

In brief:
Rob is currently Head of Machinery & Structures at Aker Arctic. In addition to managing a team of machinery, structures and deck outfitting specialists , Rob works in a project management role for icebreaker early concept and tender design projects as well as acting as structures discipline lead across the design development process.

Russell Davison

Russell joined Seaspan in 2016, where he led the design of the Canadian Coast Guard’s Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel, which is currently under construction at Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards. In his current role as Vice President, Planning and Transformation, Russell is responsible for overseeing our critically important planning, scheduling, design-build and production control teams, and further strengthening our capacity for excellence and innovation. Russell is also responsible for our business transformation activities including the Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) team.

Prior to joining Seaspan, Russell was a seasoned engineer and business leader, with more than 15 years of experience in the defence industry across a variety of domains including maritime, land and aerospace. He started his career developing mission systems for military aircraft and has since been involved in the design and construction of land vehicles, surface ships and nuclear submarines.

Russell holds a Masters in Engineering from Loughborough University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering & Technology and a Chartered Engineer.

Commander Dave Barr

Deputy Director Strategic Commitments (Regional), Strategic Commitments and Engagement Branch

Commander Dave Barr was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom in November 1981 and attended Dalriada Grammar School in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

Dave commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in July 2007 to begin his second naval career, after serving since September 2000 in the British Royal Navy (RN). During his seven years in the RN, he served in HM Ships COVENTRY, OCEAN, IRON DUKE, SABRE, SCIMITAR, RANGER, EXPLOIT, BITER and QUORN, as well as HM Submarines VENGEANCE, TALENT and TORBAY, the latter two as Navigating Officer.

Dave’s seagoing career in the RNZN commenced with his time in HMNZS ENDEAVOUR, and he has since served in HMNZ Ships RESOLUTION, TE KAHA, TE MANA and AOTEAROA.

Qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer and also a Royal Navy Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, he has  also served on various Maritime Battle Staffs for numerous multinational exercises around the globe.

In 2013 and 2014, he saw Operational Service in the Counter Piracy Task Force CTF 151 as first, the Operations Officer of HMNZS TE MANA in the Indian Ocean, and then in 2014 as the CTF 151 Chief Staff Officer-Operations (N3) role in the RNZN-led CTF 151 Command Team based in Bahrain –  during which time he studied for and obtained via distance learning a Masters of Science in Maritime Operations from Kingston University, London.

In 2018, Dave undertook the Singapore Armed Forces Command and Staff Course where he was placed top international student for his Navy-Term thesis on the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region, which was recommended for academic publishing.

Promoted to Commander in 2019, Dave has held the roles of Inspector General (Navy), J35 at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (responsible for New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed around the globe, as well as the COVID-19 response) and Commander of the Auckland-Region COVID-19 Task Unit.

In November 2021 Dave assumed the role of Executive Officer of the ice-capable replenishment tanker HMNZS AOTEAROA during which time the Ship undertook support to the Kingdom of Tonga after the eruption of the HungaTonga-Hunga-Ha’apai Volcano in January 2022. Immediately after, AOTEAROA deployed to the Ross Sea and McMurdo Station for its inaugural resupply mission.

Once the Ship returned to New Zealand, Dave assumed Command of AOTEAROA In March 2022 and deployed for six months to the Indo-Pacific, starting in Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC 2022, then time in South and North East Asia, culminating in attendance at the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force’s 70th Anniversary Fleet Review in November 2022.

After 19 months in Command, Dave handed over Command of AOTEAROA in Singapore in October 2023 and commenced his current role as Deputy Director Strategic Commitments (Regional) in the Strategic Engagement and Commitments Branch of the New Zealand Defence Force Headquarters.

Dave lives in the Waiarapa Valley near Wellington, New Zealand, with his wife Kelly, and son James. His hobbies include playing golf (with a terrible  handicap), running, reading, amateur writing, cooking, judging American BBQ competitions and walking the family’s dogs, Rosie and Willow.

Tom Ekegren

Arctic Segment Director

Tom Ekegren is a Master Mariner and Executive MBA with broad experience in icebreaking, Arctic, and offshore multi-purpose operations. He has served for several years both onboard icebreakers and in icebreaker management positions, including four years as Icebreaker Segment SVP.

In his current role as Arctic Segment Director at Steerprop, Tom is responsible for developing sales and lifecycle solutions for the company’s Arctic business area. His background gives him a shipowner’s perspective and understanding of future demands in the industry.

Captain Nigel S. Greenwood

 RAdm Nigel Greenwood, RCN (Ret’d), is a 37-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. He holds a BSc in Physics and Oceanography from RRMC and an MA in International Studies (with Distinction) from King’s College London. 

In the course of his military career, RAdm Greenwood served as a surface warfare officer, specializing in Navigation, Air-Control and Anti-Submarine Warfare. He held commands at ship, base, fleet and formation levels. During the 2010 centenary he was the Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. In his final appointment as Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, he was responsible for Canada’s western maritime defences, coordination of joint military response to domestic contingency operations in BC, and Search and Rescue over BC/Yukon and Canada’s Pacific approaches. 

Since retiring from the RCN, RAdm Greenwood has established Greenwood Maritime Solutions as a successful consultancy specializing in maritime risk assessment, security, operations research and emergency response planning. He is a licensed Security Consultant, bringing the strength of Harmonized Threat and Risk Assessment and other risk assessment methodologies to bear on his varied work. Clients to date include the Pacific Pilotage Authority, Transport Canada, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, and the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Recently he has also conducted analytical studies for the Centre for Operations Research and Analysis/Defence Research and Development Canada (CORA/DRDC). 

RAdm Greenwood holds a current license as Master Mariner and is a seasonal Ice Navigator in Greenland/Canadian Arctic waters as an Associate of Martech Polar.

Shelly Chapelski

Shelley Chapelski is the head of the transport industry group and the shipping (maritime) law group at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada.

Shelley’s practice encompasses both transactional and litigation aspects of maritime law. She drafts and advises on a wide range of charter parties, contracts of carriage, towage agreements, moorage contracts, insurance policies and other agreements that arise in maritime and transportation law, including ice pilot (navigator) contracts. She also advises many users and suppliers of marine services on their obligations, rights and liabilities under Canadian maritime law, including on the carriage of dangerous goods and bunkering operations.

Shelley has handled hundreds of casualties, including collisions, terminal damage cases, cargo losses, pollution events and passenger injury and death claims. She has dealt with dozens of vessel arrests and many maritime liens and limitation of liability proceedings.

She has the good fortune of being recognized by her clients and colleagues as one of the leading maritime lawyers in Canada (Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Best Lawyers amongst other ranking agencies).

Shelley is a former President of the Canadian Maritime Law Association and chairs its Marine Insurance Committee. She frequently meets with government representatives regarding the development of maritime law matters in Canada.

Shelley has a particular interest in Canadian Arctic shipping and its unique challenges, having worked with a number of clients who operate in that region.

John Taylor

John is Head of Loss Prevention for Steamship Mutual. John is a former Master Mariner and prior to joining Steamship Mutual in 2016, he spent 37 years with BP, 19 of which were spent sailing on their oil and gas tankers before coming ashore in 1997, where he was involved in operating BP’s oil and gas terminals, as well as FPSO operations off West Africa. In his role as Head of Loss Prevention at Steamship Mutual, John and his team provide technical support and guidance to the Club’s underwriting and claims teams as well as their global membership. John also sits on the IG Ship Technical Committee.