Titan Maritime Joins Marine Response Alliance

The directors of Seattle-based Marine Response Alliance LLC (MRA) announced that Titan Maritime LLC has joined the alliance as a full and equal member, effective immediately. Titan joins the other MRA member companies Marine Pollution Control Corporation (MPC) and Crowley Marine Services, Inc., to provide comprehensive emergency response services, offering OPA '90 compliant capabilities for rescue towing, lightering, fendering, salvage and firefighting services in all U.S. Captain of the Port zones.

Anticipated shifts in the focus of federal regulation and recent developments in state regulation, particularly on the U.S. West Coast, have prompted MRA to expand and strengthen its capabilities. With the addition of Titan, the alliance intends to solidify its position as a premier provider of OPA 90 coverage.

"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, and Titan for marine salvage and wreck removal services," said Todd Busch, one of the directors of the alliance.

"All three alliance member-companies will provide initial response firefighting services with owned equipment and third party resources." "This change should be entirely transparent to our existing customers, and an easy transition for new customers," said Jeff Taylor, MRA General Manger. "All of Titan's OPA 90 customers will remain covered through 2001, and we will be contacting each one within the next few weeks to ensure coverage for 2002 and beyond." Since 1994, MRA has provided emergency services through a "one call" approach for both drills and actual response efforts. Operating now as a limited liability company joint venture enterprise, the alliance relies on the member companies' equipment and personnel and on their network of subcontractors to initiate emergency response within hours of notice. MRA Member companies Crowley Marine Services, Marine Pollution Control, and Titan Maritime are listed by the International Group of P & I Clubs as approved contractors, in compliance with the Group's indemnity clauses. MRA is also qualified as the salvage company required by the California Code of Regulations, Title 14. Each of the member companies brings a unique package of experience and equipment to the alliance.