Dear Member,

In the period since October 2017 the Global Marine Investigators have undergone some remarkable and significant evolutions. Initially, we successfully braved turbulences, eventually leading to the Conduct Committee’s formation. Then we formed the chapter of IAMI Europe and had an intensive dialogue with IAMI, Inc to have IAMI Europe recognized in its rights. Eventually, we replaced this aspiration with the present structure of GMI, a completely new association in the heart of Europe.

GMI – the Global Marine Investigators – have been named and formed by seeking the step-by-step consensus of the loyal membership following these evolutions. The By-Laws were composed for our needs. Eventually, on a very stormy day, GMI was formally born – only after the planes could land again at Schiphol.

With the Steering Committee co-members’ consistent and valued support, I have led IAMI-Europe and then GMI through two international conferences, Sibenik and Travemünde. We are now, after the pandemic, on the eve of the third one in Budva.

Together we have introduced the concept of “In Depth Training”. I am so happy that this event type has found the approval and liking of the membership.

Ongoing work in the background has progressed to certify the members’ skills.

Below are some highlights of the last years in more detail.

OUR BRAND

Initially we have cooperatively developed the name for the association. Not less than 87 different name suggestions were put forward by members, in response to our request. Eventually the Steering Committe’s shortlist was circulated in form of a survey and the membership voted for

GLOBAL MARINE INVESTIGATORS – GMI.

In parallel we had a logo developed. As initially circulated in November  2018, it is a stylized globe, focusing on our seat, Geldermalsen in the Netherlands. Stylised longitudes and latitudes frame a Euro-Mediterranean background. The faint reticle on the outer circle is an homage to the investigators.

The rebranding of our association was formally approved by the European branding regulation body.

THE 2019 CONFERENCE

Honouring the request of some members and considering that time had come to convene again “up in the North” the Steering Committee decided for a Conference in the North of Germany. Vice-Chairman Matthias Böhmen managed to establish local contacts in Travemünde at the Baltic Sea.

Travemünde is closeby to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lübeck, yet another of the Hanse City States of the Baltic, within reach of Hamburg International Airport and easily accessible from the Scandinavian side.

The conference took place in October 2019.

In that conference we honoured the requests of many members and arranged our first one day “hands on” – “in depth” training.

THE IN DEPTH TRAINING

This training was carried out by a “tested” professional – Marcus Lindemann, managing director of Autorenwerk in Berlin, a leading information authority, carried through a one days’ training in

Open Source Research for Marine Investigators.

COVID 19

Early in 2020 we started to prepare for a conference in Montenegro. However, with the pandemics and the resulting meeting and travel restrictions we had to cancel the 2020 to 2022 conferences.

2023 MONTENEGRO

Now, after the pandemics we have spliced in our activities from where we left in 2020. Ongoing support by members Zoran Lasica from the Montenegro Border Police and Matthias Mink from the German Waterpolice KBK made this possible.

I believe that this conference will come as close to the spirit of GMI as is possible. For the first time the number of participating law enforcers and of insurance executives and investigators are in balance. Several enforcement agencies participate and support us.

Zoran and Matthias also conceived a further In-Depth-Training and Activity – a one day trip to Bar, with hands on equipment readout, and, a visit of the marine law enforcement facilities there. Many thanks to both members.

I am writing this address on the plane to Podgoritza and I am looking forward to meet up with our members and to welcome the many new members and conference attendants. I am specially keen to welcome our colleagues from overseas, who have taken the trouble to travel a long way to be with us – again. This is so  heartwarming.

In short, I am looking forward to meet up with you again, the loyal GMI-Family! And a big “thank you,” for your ongoing support of the association.

Many thanks also for the confidence you have vested in me over a long time.

May thinking out of the box prevail.

May the Global Marine Investigators prosper and grow.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Dr. Yusuf Civelekoğlu, CMI, Chairperson – Global Marine Investigators