Heidenreich emphasized the shipping industry must act now or else others will act for them.

Westye Hoegh, Chairman of INTERTANKO continued the Erika discussion criticizing the lack of an immediate investigation by proper bodies such as the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).  He and other speakers stressed the need for increased visibility and accountability among class societies and owners.

Other speakers shared their concerns that major incidents, such as the Erika, prompt nations to declare hasty and non-unilateral regulations.  Frederick Tsao, Chairman of INTERCARGO said, "owners need to be in a direct dialogue with legislators and regulators."  Hoegh felt the proliferation of variable local regulations places the international safety system at risk.  He felt it is impossible to operate ships safely without uniform rules.

Environmental Debates Continue on Day Two

Typically, a conference is successful if it can bring in a few good speakers for the opening day sessions.  CMA 2000 showed attendees why it is considered a premier event by assembling an even stronger group of experts for its Wednesday roundtable debate.  Richard du Moulin chairman of Marine Transport Corp. moderated a group of six speakers with expertise in Government, Regulatory, Science, Environmentalism and Industry.  They debated whether the shipping industry deserves to be self-regulating.

Although maritime regulations concentrate upon environmental AND marine safety, speakers tended to focus their comments on environmental regulations.  Du Moulin expressed his chagrin over the unfortunate reality that one oiled bird from a spill generates much more public publicity then when seamen are killed in an accident.

In summary format, the speakers made the following observations:

Dagmar Etkin - an oil spill specialist from Environmental Research outlined statistics from oil and other marine pollution incidents.  She pointed out the industry is doing better but problems still persist.  Pollution incident statistics show       prevention is the best course of action.

Robert Somerville - President of the American Bureau of Shipping noted that the lowest common denominator in the shipping system is a problem.  He indicated the poor quality owners, societies, charterers, shipyards, underwriters, registries etc. create a problem for the better ones.

Joseph Angelo - from the US Coast Guard described the tool that regulatory agencies can wield is enforcement in terms of inspections and detentions.  He announced the beginning of a new reward program whereby the US Coast Guard may reward high quality shippers via a reduction in inspections.

Kristin Miller   - from the Office of Congressman Christopher Shay (CT) explained how politics is often shaped by public opinion, noting the critical motto  "Public Perception Becomes Political Reality."

Philip Embiricos - of Intertanko outlined more statistics detailing where structural and other failings cause shipping incidents.  He emphasized the point that proper analysis is needed so people don't jump the gun and come up with       solutions that are wrong.

Sally Lentz - of Oceans Advocate insisted to the audience that self-regulation is not in the cards for shippers.  Shipping places a risk upon the marine environment, which is a "public trust."   Protection of a public trust is a shared responsibility of industry, government, and the public, hence one party cannot be responsible for regulations to protect it.

Du Moulin noted in closing that at the least we have established a good dialogue among parties in shipping and related to shipping.  He said all speakers are in common agreement that incidents such as the Erika highlight the marine environment is a shared responsibility and accidents highlight a system situation not solely due to ships