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NOTE : Some of the answers to the following questions are very direct, and others may take issue with the content.

It is not Talon's intent to denigrate any entity and those that might take issue with our answers should realize these attitudes/practices exist in certain locales and cultures.

Talon answers the posed questions based upon Talon's lengthy tenure and experience with service providers and business interactions with those providers, around the world.

WHY DO BUSINESS WITH TALON?

Talon's business philosophy of dedication to being its client's staunch advocate should provide the impetus for consideration. Talon can provide testimonials from its clients that would confirm this philosophy.

WHY NOT ACCESS THE VESSEL-OWNING COMPANY DIRECTLY?

Good question!

This answer requires considerable insight into the machinations and attitudes of some owners relative to agents/brokers, to wit:

Market Conditions: The marine support vessel business, like the driving industry forces, i.e., oil and gas exploration, drilling, production, construction, etc., and attitudes within the vessel industry often are dictated by the level of activity at any given point. As all with significant involved years are aware, our industry has been cyclical since it's inception, thereby creating "seller's" and "buyer's" markets.

Philosophies/Attitudes: There are some vessel-owning companies that have, through generations, adopted philosophies and mind-sets that do not lend themselves to the basics of "client/vendor relations"!

Talon practices the "Golden Goose" philosophy. We realize the client is the "golden goose"... in Aesop's fable, we know the goose only lays golden eggs if we placate the goose, not kill it in an attempt to increase our wealth!

As such, and in keeping with the advocacy of our clients, we conduct our business relations in a proper, cooperative and professional manner, to the extent we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to provide all facts regarding any issues, or contentious disputes that may arise (and we all know, in such a dynamic business, those are not rare) during a charter period, in a focused attempt to have our client know, and understand, exactly what occurred. Thereafter, we will discuss, propose and agree upon a final resolution, expecting that prudent and reasonable persons will understand and accept the facts.

It is also our experience that many vessel-owning companies allow their operations personnel to directly interact with clients concerning controversial matters. While much depends upon the client relation skills and diplomacy attitude of those operations personnel, often those persons do not possess the required capabilities for disputed situations. Talon's personnel reflect the attitude and philosophy of its founder, who understands the proper criteria with which to resolve contentious issues.

Cooperation

Another very significant reason for having Talon provide your vessel requirements is quite simple.

Usually, if a vessel-owning company does not have a vessel that meets your needs, they will simply tell you they don't have such a vessel available. It would be quite unusual they would direct you to a competitive company that might have the type of vessel you seek, thereby risking the future loss of your business, from their perspective.

Talon, on the other hand, as an agent without specific allegiances, has agreements and relations with vessel companies around the world and can access those various companies, offering a complete canvassing of available vessels.

WHAT BENEFITS WOULD I DERIVE FROM USING A MARINE AGENT/BROKER FOR WHICH THERE ARE COMMISSION CHARGES?

Another good question!

Generally speaking, aside from the various previous answers, many times the vessel agent/broker will attempt, from numerous sources, to locate a vessel to suit your needs. However, many vessel brokers are individuals who only broker vessels as a supplement to their primary income endeavors. They do not have the resources, nor the organization, to provide true agent/broker services. Generally, they are persons from an area of numerous vessel-owning company locations, who, over their life spans, have come to know the principals or employees of those companies. As their primary income efforts allow them to interact with many end users of support vessels, they often have an acquaintance with, for example, an oil and gas transportation supervisor/implementer that may, offhandedly, inquire of them as to whether they might know the availability of a certain vessel type. Thereafter, the "broker" will make a phone call to an "owner/owner's personnel", put the parties together and the "broker" will be paid a small, undocumented commission. At that point, the subject "broker" has absolutely no involvement in the succeeding charter.

Another scenario involves large international marine agencies (most of which are located in the Eastern Hemisphere). While those companies have large databases of vessel companies and vessels, they normally, upon a need request, review their database, determine the availability of a particular vessel and determine when and where it can be viewed/inspected, at which time their involvement ceases, unless the client relates to the agent that it desires a charter of the vessel. Thereafter, the agent puts the vessel owner and charterer in contact and the vessel owner pays the agent a pre-agreed upon commission.

Talon, on the other hand, takes an entirely different approach from the two aforementioned examples.

First and foremost, Talon, as its client's advocate, will negotiate with the vessel owner on behalf of the client, usually resulting in a lower proposed rate than the client would get directly from the owner.

Additionally, Talon's direct involvement would not end at the beginning of the charter.

Often, Talon will enter into the charter agreement with the chartering client, with Talon and its client both being named additional assured on the owner's vessel insurance. If there is a request by the vessel owner to charter directly to the charterer, Talon will effect a non-compete agreement with the vessel owner.

However, in either case, Talon continues to be available to it's client throughout the charter period, at times mediating disputes, confirming the vessel owner understands instructions from the client and all other day-to-day issues that arise during the charter period.