INTERNATIONAL SALVAGE UNION
October 2023
New President for ISU The Annual General Meeting of the International Salvage Union was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 12 October 2023. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr John Witte Jr. Donjon Marine, USA, became the new President of the ISU. Mr Witte succeeds Captain Nicholas Sloane, Resolve Marine, USA, who will continue as a member of the ISU Executive Committee. Captain Sloane said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been the President of ISU these past two years, and to represent the interests of all our members as we have tackled the major issues facing our industry. The ISU’s own statistics show that our members are facing difficult economic times but we are a vibrant industry and we continue to provide vital services. The ISU members are critical partners for insurers and owners to help meet their ESG requirements. “In the past two years we have made good progress on issues such as the SCOPIC rates and the creation of new guidelines for Special Casualty Representatives and on the BIMCO 2023 Wreckstage contract. We have maintained good relations with the clubs, owners and property insurers. “I am delighted to be handing over to John Witte who comes from a family with a long and proud tradition in salvage. John has
much experience of the industry - both as a salvage master and operational manager - and has demonstrated great commitment to marine salvage and the ISU of which he is a past President and I am sure the leadership of our association will be in good hands.” Commenting on his appointment, Mr Witte said: “I would like to thank Nick for all that he has done for the ISU over the past two years: he has shown great dedication to the role. For my part it is a great honour to be the President of the ISU and I look forward to leading the association as it continues to address the current challenges, in particular, enhancing the reputation of the industry and strengthening further our relationships with shipowners and insurers.” Mr Witte has worked for Donjon since 1982, starting in its marine salvage activities. Over more than 40 years of service with Donjon Marine, Mr Witte has worked in and directed virtually all of its present marine and related activities. He has day-to-day operational and corporate oversight of all of Donjon Marine’s various businesses and operations. In addition, Mr Witte is also director, and provides oversight and guidance, to Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair, a full-service repair and vessel new build facility located on Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania. Mr Witte is a past President of the International Salvage Union
(ISU) and is also a past President of the American Salvage Association (ASA). At the same time, Captain Leendert Muller, Managing Director of Multraship Towage & Salvage, The Netherlands, was confirmed as the vice President of the ISU. Captain Muller is a certified Master Mariner and acting Senior Salvage Master who has dedicated nearly 40 years to the shipping industry, having started his career at sea in 1984, serving as a Captain on board Multraship tugs for 12 years before moving into operational, commercial and management roles. He has served as President of the ISU and as Chairman of the European Tugowners’ Association.
ISU Annual General Meeting 2023 report The ISU's 69th AGM considered and approved a revised set of Articles of Association and Rules for the ISU. The most important revisions relate to ensuring that ISU complies with the requirements of international competition law and also include some “tidying up” of drafting. The meeting also approved Captain Leendert Muller as vice President of the ISU (see story above) and new members
of the Executive Committee, Dominique Caillé and Li Chang. Mr Caillé is a former senior French Navy officer and is managing director of Les Abeilles, France. Mr Chang is the senior salvage adviser to China Rescue and Salvage and Director in of charge of business, marketing and commercial in Guangzhou Salvage. ISU members were updated on legal matters by ISU legal adviser, Richard Gunn, and communications and 1
administration by secretary general James Herbert. The external speaker was Michael T Moore of Moore and Co, a Florida marine and aviation law practice and Chairman Emeritus of the International SeaKeepers Society. Mr Moore outlined his long experience in shipping law and outlined some of the issues connected with the superyacht business.