affiliated companies that recognized the need for consensus within the industry and the need for a united front in pursuing matters of mutual interest. In 1973, the Association was formally incorporated as a non-profit corporation. Today, OMSA directly represents the large majority of U.S. offshore marine transportation companies, as their principal spokesman delegated to pro-actively develop and/or to promote positions favorable to the industry in response to proposed legislation or other governmental actions, worldwide, which potentially could impact offshore operators and service companies.
The Regular Member companies served by OMSA are engaged in various offshore marine activities including offshore towing and anchor handling, and the operation of offshore supply and utility service vessels, crewboats, offshore construction, diving support, pipelay, cargo and derrick barges, geophysical vessels, liftboats and other specialized offshore support vessels.
Associate membership is open to companies which, while they do not own or operate marine equipment, do share common economic interests and provide professional services or sell equipment or supplies to OMSA's marine operators. This group includes shipyards, naval architects, surveyors, underwriters, vessel equipment manufacturers and distributors, suppliers of vessel components, supplies and services, financial institutions and CPA firms, among others. These companies play an extremely important and active role in support of the Association. Both classes of membership possess equal rights under the By-laws.
While it is OMSA's intent to represent the common views of all members, and our Regular and Associate members generally work together closely toward goals rooted in common interest, each individual member, upon joining, reserves the right to express any view or policy that they may have contrary to those of the Association or a majority of its members.