AI Magazine Issue 10 2018

Acquisition International - Issue 10 2018 31 Patterson & Associates (Pty) Ltd provides a specialist marine insurance investigative and surveying service to its worldwide clients. Following their success in Acquisition Intl. Magazine, 2018 Global Excellence Awards as the Best Specialist Marine Surveying Firm 2018 - South Africa, we invited Mike Patterson to tell us more about the firm and the range of services it has to offer. stablished 29 years ago, Patterson & Associates acts for local and international law firms, Port Authorities, importers and exporters, cargo and freight agents. Supporting such a range of clients, the firm has to work hard to ensure excellence. Mike begins by talking us through how this is achieved. “Here at Patterson & Associates, the essence of our business comprises the provision of a quick and reliable service, accurate substantiated information and evidence and clear accurate survey reports that allows the client to make a properly informed decision on the extent of liability, if any, within the terms of the applicable contract of insurance, or other types of contracts, as the case may be. “Due to the fact that we operate in a service industry, we recognise the importance of keeping clients regularly and properly informed regarding the progress of any investigation and to ensure that the survey report is issued as soon as practically possible. Through our offices in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Harare and Lusaka, we operate throughout most of Africa and elsewhere, as and when required. For example, we have conducted survey work on behalf of principals in places as far afield as Brazil, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Oman, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion Company: Patterson & Associates (PTY) Ltd Contact: Mike Patterson Address: P.O. Box 1801, Westville, Durban, 3630, South Africa Telephone: 0027 31 765 5757 Web Address: www. pattersonandassociates.co.za Patterson & Associates : Magnificence inMarine Insurance Investigations E 1809AI51 etc. This international approach combined with our focus on quality has led us to the strong industry position we enjoy today.” Within the maritime space the firm’s work revolves around supporting its clients with a variety of issues which Mike explores in more detail. “Fundamentally, the primary purpose of insurance cover is to re-instate the party that has suffered the financial loss to the position they were prior to the loss occurring; the duty of the surveyor is therefore to place the insurer of the goods as quickly as possible in a position where the insurer can accurately and properly consider the extent of liability within the terms of the policy cover. Many surveyors fall down in this role due to lack of insurance knowledge, poor investigative and communication skills or very high workloads. “The key is to gear the company to deal with the workload on any given day as quickly, efficiently and honestly as possible; any prudent surveyor should always be mindful of the need to ensure that the survey report only contains accurate verifiable information, given that in many matters, disputes result in court cases. This is where Patterson & Associates excels: we are just passionate about solving problems, resulting in the effective resolution of claims investigations.” Looking ahead, the team at Patterson & Associates remain passionate about solving problems resulting in the effective resolution of claims investigations and this will remain their ongoing focus, as Mike is proud to conclude. “Going forward, as part of our ongoing strategy, Patterson & Associates’ aim is to continue being of great service to our local and international clients; our specialist marine surveying and investigative skills allow us to attend to investigations wherever the client may require our services. We hope to support even more clients over the years to come and foresee a bright future ahead.” “...as part of our ongoing strategy, Patterson & Associates’ aim is to continue being of great service to our local and international clients; our specialist marine surveying and investigative skills allow us to attend to investigations wherever the client may require our services.”