When disaster strikes at sea, to the general public it’s all about casualties and of course they are the most important thing. But behind the scenes, the needs of salvors, shipowners, insurers and the environment also have to be managed decisively, collaboratively, and with integrity.

Often overlooked, this vital role falls to the Specialist Casualty Representative (SCR), and Simon Burnay, naval architect and CEO of international maritime consultants the Waves Group, shines a light on their work.