Intertanko Chairman and former Teekay President Marine Services Capt. Graham Westgarth has joined the board of Seagull AS, the well-known provider of complete training solutions for seafarers.

Capt. Westgarth, who becomes a non-executive Seagull Director, has over 40 years industry experience including 18 years at sea (five years as a Ship’s Master). From 2001 to 2010, he was responsible for Teekay’s 5,000 sea and shore staff and the technical management of 200 vessels, as the company extended beyond its conventional tanker interests to shuttle tankers, FPSOs, FSOs and LNG vessels. 

He also oversaw development of Teekay’s industry accredited Competence Management System, working closely with Seagull. The training specialist provided the software platform to administer, track and manage the professional progress of all Teekay seafarers.

Seagull Chairman Oscar Johansen says: “Graham brings with him acknowledged insight into seafarer development and ship management, as well as unrivalled experience in competence management. His track record in seafarer management and training speaks for itself, while his straight-talking common sense, patience and commitment to excellence fit perfectly into Seagull’s ethos of facilitating best practice on all aspects of maritime training.”

Capt. Westgarth says: “My respect for the professionalism of the people working in our industry is immense, especially for those who man ships day in day out in challenging conditions. I see joining Seagull as an opportunity to support their mandate of   developing human resources, training, and the working environment for those at sea and ashore. Having worked closely with the seafarers behind Seagull for many years, I look forward to contributing to the wider industry’s need for training tools that address everything from how best to pass on seafarer experience to cultivating young talent.”

Capt. Westgarth also commands a reputation for encouraging cooperation between industry and legislative bodies, an attribute that Mr Johansen says is becoming ever more critical as the volume of regulations affecting seafarers increases.

Now in his second elected term as Intertanko Chairman Capt. Westgarth is also  appointed director to the ABS Council, and is the  Executive Vice President, Operations and Strategy, of GasLog.