Background

Jim Calvesbert recently retired from the Canadian Coast Guard after a lengthy, successful career. He graduated from a four-year Nautical Sciences program at the Canadian Coast Guard College and served at sea for a number of years. During that period, he qualified for command of hovercraft as well as ships and worked on the East and West Coasts, in the Arctic and on the Great Lakes. Following command experience, he taught at the Coast Guard College and then assumed management responsibilities as department head and was later in charge of all training conducted at the College. During this time he earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the Université de Moncton.

Returning to operational management within the Coast Guard, Jim was heavily involved in the implementation of the ISM Code for fleet operations and holds lead auditor certification. He also holds Level III certification for ISO. Moving into executive positions, Jim was responsible for the conduct of operational programs and later vessel and helicopter operations for the Maritimes Region of the Coast Guard taking a lead role in maritime security issues, for which he has a Top Secret security clearance,  During this period, he also completed a Masters degree in Marine Management from Dalhousie University.

Jim has: conducted an on-site evaluation of the Batumi State Maritime Academy in the former republic of Georgia.; developed, and had approved, an ISM Safety Management Program for a Barbadian shipping organization; completed annual corporate business reports; assisted in developing a national Search and Rescue system in the United Arab Emirates; developed the marine transportation component of an environmental impact strategy, and; conducted middle-management selection assessments.  He has recently been second lead on a Scoping Study for an Arctic Shipping Impact Assessment for the Canadian government.  Jim has organized three Arctic shipping seminars, two Canadian Underwater Conference and Exhibition's and is currently organizing the 2010 version.

Jim has strong managerial experience in change management, business planning, marine training, adult education, interpretation and application of policies and codes, as well as budgetary planning and control. He maintains an active role in the Company of Master Mariners of Canada and has been a lecturer at Dalhousie University in Marine Transportation Policy and Administration.