To create and foster a good working relationship and spirit of mutual cooperation between its General and Associate Members.
To communicate to its members instances of practices that are considered to be unfair or objectionable that come to the attention of the ASA.
To work towards the improvement and, where applicable, the standardization of contracts and other documentation relevant to the marine salvage industry.
To cooperate with other Associations working in the interests of the marine salvage industry.
To take actions from time to time that appear desirable, are considered appropriate, and are in the best interests of the marine salvage industry.
To unite marine salvors working throughout the Americas and greater Caribbean in order to consider, when desirable, taking joint action on any matters affecting the marine salvage industry.
The American Salvage Association is a trade association with the purpose of improving salvage response across the Americas and, as with every trade organization, endeavors to discuss and identify solutions related to issues of common interest to the membership.
Concerns regarding safety, environmental protection, insurance, increased training, adequate salvage assets, and responder immunity are some examples high on the ASA agenda. The ASA and its members are committed to working together in a co-operative manner with state and federal agencies as well as with industry stakeholders throughout the region to work towards common goals.
American Salvage Association members play a vital role in protecting the marine environment not only throughout the Americas, but worldwide. With a mantra of “keep it in the ship,” ASA member companies have prevented millions of gallons of pollutants from entering the marine environment. As specialists in a multitude of services including but not limited to emergency lightering, hazmat response, pollution recovery, emergency towage, subsea response, marine firefighting and more, ASA member companies and their supporting contractors are often the only resources available throughout the Americas with the expertise and capability necessary to prevent a marine casualty event from escalating into an environmental crisis.
If an ASA General Member with a contract requires assistance, he should give another ASA Member with suitable equipment/expertise readily available the opportunity to tender.
It is recommended that, where appropriate, Members use ASA approved Standard Forms of Contracts, Agreements, Guarantees and other Documents.
All Members should at all times conduct themselves in their relations with other Members, or any other persons or companies, in a manner compatible with this code of conduct. In particular, all Members should endeavor to conduct their affairs so as to maintain the ethical business standard contained in this code of conduct.
When tendering for major wreck removal operations Members should endeavor to ensure proper tendering procedures, i.e. tenders by sealed envelopes to be opened at a fixed time with no further tenders being permitted, and Members should not accept or participate in any other form of practice.
No Member of the ASA should knowingly attempt to usurp, dispossess or otherwise interfere with a contract freely negotiated and entered into by another Member, always subject to the provisions of the International Convention on Salvage, 1989, Art 8.1 (d). Any offer of additional services should be directed simultaneously to the contracted General Member and the property at risk.