The Secretariat has been informed of the recent and sudden death of the former Maritime Safety Umbrella Operation (MSUO ) co-ordinator Eric Louis Melenec. Eric Louis reportedly passed away on September 23 2008.

Eric Louis was the co-ordinator for the MSUO in the period 1 October 2006 – 1 October 2007 during which time he was based in Viborg and worked in the Secretariat offices.

Eric Louis worked with projects related to the maritime industry in different countries around the world for many years and had an extensive network in the field. He was also local councellor for the municipality of Camaret-sur-Mer in Bretagne, France.