News: Marine Response Alliance Announces Major Expansion

The directors of Seattle-based Marine Response Alliance LLC (MRA) announced the signing of an agreement with Marine Hazard Response to join the Alliance as a full and equal member, effective January 1. Marine Hazard Response (MHR), based in Houston, is a joint venture of Wild Well Control, Inc., and Williams Fire and Hazard Control, Inc., and specializes in marine firefighting and the technical management of marine casualties. MHR will now unite with the other MRA member companies-Crowley Marine Services, Inc. (Crowley), Marine Pollution Control Corporation (MPC) and Titan Maritime LLC (Titan)-to provide access to comprehensive emergency response services, offering OPA '90 compliant capabilities for rescue towing, lightering, fendering, salvage and firefighting in all U.S. Captain of the Port zones.

Anticipated changes in the response requirements of federal regulations and similar developments in the States have prompted MRA to expand and strengthen its capabilities. With the addition of MHR, the Alliance intends to enhance its existing marine firefighting capability and solidify its position as the premier provider of marine emergency response services.

"We believe we offer the most complete package of services available - Crowley for rescue towing and tug and barge services, MPC for lightering, fendering and cargo transfers, Titan for marine salvage and wreck removal, and now Marine Hazard Response to shore up marine firefighting response services," said Todd Busch, one of the directors of the alliance. "Wild Well and Williams, the partners which make up MHR, are recognized throughout the world as top firefighters."

Scott Powell, a new director of the Alliance from MHR, said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to team up with Crowley, Titan, and MPC through participation as a full member of the MRA to be able to provide the world-wide shipping community with a one stop call for emergency services.

We believe that all of the MRA team members have more than proven themselves in past response operations, exhibiting true leadership in their fields, with forward thinking to get the job done professionally and with integrity."

"This expansion signifies the commitment of the Alliance to investing in the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our clients," said Jeff Taylor, MRA General Manager. "Regulations are getting tougher, but we don't want it to be any harder for our clients to ensure their vessels are covered. We're changing so our clients don't have to. They can still come to us and be assured of access to the full complement of services, throughout the United States.

Since 1994, MRA has provided access to marine emergency response services through a "one call" approach for both drills and actual response efforts. The Alliance relies on the member companies' equipment and personnel, and on its network of subcontractors, to initiate emergency response within hours-or often minutes-of notice. The Alliance of Crowley, MPC, TITAN, and MHR ensures MRA customers have access to high horsepower tugs, lightering barges, portable pumping equipment, marine fenders, salvage gear and expertise, firefighting equipment and trained firefighters to meet federal and state requirements. Access is assured when customers sign MRA's Contractor Designation, which has been approved by the Vessel Response Plan working group of the International Group of P&I Clubs.

Each of the MRA member companies brings a unique package of experience and equipment to the Alliance.

New MRA Member Marine Hazard Response combines the knowledge, experience, equipment, and abilities of Wild Well Control Inc., and Williams Fire and Hazard Control Inc., to provide unmatched services for marine firefighting, emergency technical assessment and solutions/management for marine incidents both in the US and worldwide. With over 50 years of combined experience in the field of marine and specialty firefighting, MHR is considered one of the most diverse and capable response organizations in the field.