ABS Appoints New Divisional Lead Surveyors

In a move designed to further strengthen its field survey staff, ABS has created a new divisional lead surveyor position in each of the classification society’s Divisional headquarters, serving the Americas, Europe and the Pacific region.

Frank Drake, a 26- year-veteran of ABS, has been appointed ABS Americas Divisional Lead Surveyor. His vast field experience, combined with his most recent assignment to ABS Consulting’s SafeHull Condition Assessment Program or CAP, positions him to oversee and provide support to the more than 180 ABS field surveyors assigned to ports in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America. Drake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Technology from Mississippi State University. He will be located at the ABS Americas divisional headquarters in Houston, Texas.

Babu Angel has been appointed Divisional Lead Surveyor for the ABS Pacific division. Angel holds a chief engineer’s license and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic.. His most recent ABS assignment was as Senior Surveyor in the ABS Singapore office. He is qualified to carry out ISM and ISO certification audits and has experience working in various shipyards throughout the region. Angel will provide survey support for the 306 ABS field surveyors in the Pacific region from the ABS Pacific divisional headquarter in Singapore.

Christos Nomikos takes on the role of Divisional Lead Surveyor, ABS Europe. Nomikos moves to this London-based position from the ABS Piraeus office where he served as senior surveyor. He has fulfilled various ABS assignments including field office work in Koje, Istanbul and Shanghai. Nomikos holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology. The 225 ABS field survey staff in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will be able to draw on Nomikos’ experience and support.

ABS’ newly appointed Chief Surveyor Lenny Pendexter commented on the trio of new positions saying, “The phase out of single hull tankers, new European Union regulations and more stringent requirements from IACS for the design and maintenance of bulk carriers, among many other issues, are placing new demands on our field survey staff.” He continued, “Surveyors need guidance, mentoring and continued on-the-job training to keep abreast of these latest developments and to better enable them to maintain the highest standards demanded from the classification profession and marine industry at large.”

These new positions were created as part of Pendexter’s overall strategic initiatives to further strengthen the ABS survey staff. These initiatives include a comprehensive plan emphasizing training and mentoring and the introduction of advanced computer systems support for field survey staff.