The Australian Government has announced Captain Jeanine Drummond as the new Chair of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Board.
Captain Drummond is the first woman appointed to the permanent role of Chair, and more than half the membership of the board is female.
“These are both important landmarks for the maritime industry,” said the Hon. Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in a statement.
Captain Drummond is an experienced Harbour Master, Master Mariner and maritime industry professional, the Minister noted, adding that she is a “well-respected member of the maritime community”.
She has led, and contributed expertise to, projects spanning ports governance, pilotage standards, port resource management, offshore wind developments, maritime workplace inclusion and safety management systems.
First appointed to the AMSA Board in 2020 and currently serving as a member for the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College Advisory Board and the Australian Mariners Welfare Society Council, Captain Drummond already has critical roles in improving maritime safety, skills and seafarer wellbeing.
Minister King also noted that the Federal Government has appointed Dean Summers and Michelle Taylor to the Board.
Dean Summers is an experienced seafarer who has had extensive involvement in the maritime industry domestically and internationally, particularly through his senior leadership position in the International Transport Workers Forum.
Michelle Taylor specialises in maritime and transport law and is currently a partner of Sparke Helmore Lawyers, bringing more than 25 years’ experience as a litigator – including previously working with AMSA and the Department of Defence. She is also the current President of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand, and has served on the the Australian Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission executive.
“Ms Taylor’s appointment will provide the board with valuable expertise in maritime law, including comprehensive knowledge of casualty and pollution matters,” Minister King said.
She welcomed the new chair and board members while also thanking Ms Jennifer Clark for her service as the acting chair.
She added that she looks forward “to continuing to work with AMSA as we ensure a safe and environmentally-friendly maritime sector”.
