Active Communications International held the inaugural Maritime Salvage Conference in London on 8th and 9th September, with attendance from a vast range of stakeholders from across the salvage and towage industry, including eight ISU Member representatives. The conference was chaired by ISU General Manager Mr. John Noble, who set the tone for the two day conference in his Keynote Address by focusing on the main themes on the position of salvors as first line casualty responders; manpower and training issues, ever increasing safety regimes and importantly the role of authorities in directing how salvage operations are conducted, putting environmental considerations ahead of property.

Mr George A. Tsavliris of TSAVLIRIS SALVAGE GROUP (ISU) opened the individual presentations with a comprehensive treatise on the Lloyds Open Form and the current issues receiving attention. Mr. Tsavliris pointed out that much of the risk lay with professional salvors, and expressed his dismay at the creeping exposure to the criminalisation of salvage responders, with specific reference to the 2003 "TASMAN SPIRIT" casualty. Delegates were offered some detailed information on the level of awards and appeal LOF awards over the past fifteen years.

The two days progressed well with valuable contributions from a range of expert speakers; which included Jason Bennett of Smit Salvage (ISU) who looked at the need to adapt and develop salvage techniques in order to deal with the "Mega" casualty; Mr John Witte Jr, of Donjon Marine gave a well informed and timely rundown of the revised OPA 90 requirements due to come into effect in February 2011; and Bob Unbdenstock of Resolve Marine (ISU) teamed up with a special appearance from Hugh Shaw of the UK SOSREP, to examine the role of coastal states.