On every opportunity, our good friend Bill, praised our proactive initiatives towards promoting HELMEPA’s common goals with IMO within world shipping, the founding of other sister associations-MEPAs and welcomed the introduction of the voluntary “environmental awareness in youth” in the agenda of the Marine Environment Protection Committee-MEPC. He also honored HELMEPA by addressing its Annual Report of activities of 2001, stating among other: “in the rapidly changing world that we inhabit today, a 20th anniversary is a very significant milestone indeed. It bears witness to the fact that something of genuine, lasting value has been created and that it has been able to grow and gain strength over the years.”

We are grateful for his support and the trust he extended to us.

To his wife Olga and the wider family as well as the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim and the Organization’s Secretariat, we are cordially extending our sincere condolences.

William O’Neil addresses HELMEPA Members at its Exhibition at CERES building, while the Association’s Director General translates

(R-L) MEPC Chairman M. Julian, Members of HELMEPA Junior, William O’Neil and D.C. Mitsatsos at the office of the SG of IMO, London