Court Denies WQIS Motion for Injunction
A New York State Supreme Court Judge has ruled against WQIS in a dispute involving the marine pollution insurance arena. According to Safe Harbor, this is the second ruling against WQIS in its attempt to prevent start-up Safe Harbor Pollution Insurance from entering the insurance space where WQIS has been the dominant market for the past 40 years. In a prepared statement, Safe Harbor President Michael Falvey stated, "We are pleased with the decision, and that the Court saw WQIS's 'evidence' for what it was—insufficient." Russell Brown, Principal of Safe Harbor, also in a prepared stattement, added that he was pleased with the Court's ruling and is looking forward to building the finest marine pollution insurance company without the threat of continual legal issues.
Falvey Announces New Pollution Insurance Division
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.
WQIS Prepared for COFR Limit Increase
On July 11, 2006 the President signed into law Title VI of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2006, which increased the limits of liability for vessels under OPA 90. It also split the tank vessel category into single and double hulls with single hulls having higher limits. Those limits went into effect in 2006. However, the requirement for evidence of financial responsibility required to obtain a Certificate of Financial Responsibility (COFR) was not increased at that point. Meaning, existing COFRs remained valid. By a notice in the Federal Register/Vol. 73, No.181/Wednesday, September 17, 2008 the Coast Guard promulgated regulations implementing the new COFR regulations to take effect from January 15, 2009. As of that date, the financial guaranty or insurance to the U.S.
