Titan Maritime Joins Marine Response Alliance

11/15/2001 08:30 am

(Seattle; Nov. 15, 2001) – The directors of Seattle-based Marine Response Alliance LLC (MRA) announced today that Titan Maritime LLC (Titan) 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.(Crowley), 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 fire fighting 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.

Titan, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a world leader in the salvage industry and the only commercial salvage company in the United States that focuses exclusively on salvage and wreck removal. The history of Titan is a history of quick response by an organization which has put its primary emphasis on people and technology. Titan is a sophisticated team of specialists that maintains the most extensive inventory of salvage equipment in the United States. Additional information about Titan may be found on the Internet at: www.titansalvage.com.

Marine Pollution Control, based in Detroit, is an international spill control company with portable, high-capacity emergency off-loading pumps, fendering and fire fighting equipment, and trained response technicians stationed in major U.S. and international ports. Additional information about MPC may be found on the Internet at: www.redanchor.com.

Crowley Marine Services, headquartered in Seattle, is a subsidiary of Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corporation, founded in 1892. The corporation is primarily a family- and employee-owned company engaged in worldwide logistics, liner services, contract towing and transportation, energy support services, ship assist and escort services, vessel management and petroleum and chemical marine transport. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

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