Russ Brown News

In the first phase of a new website rollout, Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance (SHPI) delivers the ultimate in electronic convenience with its My Harbor broker portal. This industry-leading platform enables real-time policy and claim access, empowering brokers to better service customers. Brokers enter the personalized gateway by registering at www.safeharborpollution.com/myharbor. The unique portal grants instant access to all quotes and policies, as well as the ability to view claims and print loss runs. Brokers can also make non-rated changes through My Harbor. "Real-time information management and the ability to complete any insurance transaction with speed and ease are defining differences in SHPI services.

Falvey Insurance Group has formed a new division, Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance. Offering some of the broadest terms available in the commercial market, Safe Harbor's Global Vessel Pollution Policy provides comprehensive protection for any vessel, owner or operator. Veteran insurance professionals Russ Brown, Tony Gerone and Sean Quinn bring over 35 years of experience in underwriting marine pollution coverage to the new Long Island-based company. "The establishment of Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance Company represents the realization of our longstanding vision to offer an unparalleled level of service to our marketplace," said principal Russ Brown.

Forty years is a considerable amount of time in any case, 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.

The U.S. has the most stringent, comprehensive marine pollution laws of any country on the planet. The last 30 years have marked an evolution from little legal enforcement to strict liability for marine pollution. One company, WQIS, a provider of marine pollution liability insurance in the U.S., celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Two events proved pivotal in developing the United States' liability enforcement of marine pollution laws. In 1967, the Torrey Canyon spill off the Scilly Isles in England provided some of the most shocking images ever seen in marine pollution cleanup. Faced with an overwhelming spill and the inability to contain it, Royal Air Force fighter planes dropped napalm bombs in an effort to burn off the oil and sink the ship.