Marine Underwriting Division Launched by Blades Marine

J. H. Blades's new marine underwriting division will underwrite brown water exposures for specialty retail agents and brokers.

Specific coverages will include hull and liability, protection and indemnity, builder’s risk, miscellaneous marine liability, vessel pollution, excess marine liability, bumbershoots and other related marine coverages.

At the helm of the new venture is David Manion, who joins Blades Marine as Executive Vice President. Manion has spent more than 20 years in marine underwriting. He has extensive experience in the brown water exposure space as well as providing London specialty marine lines wholesale broker services. He holds a B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health from Murray State University in Kentucky.

J. Neal Abernathy, President & Chief Executive Officer of parent company, Swett & Crawford, adds, “The Blades Marine team has more than 100 years of combined marine underwriting and claims service experience. Blades Marine demonstrates how Swett & Crawford’s global capabilities enhance our ability to provide unique products for our retail agents and brokers and their insureds.”

Headquartered in Houston, J. H. Blades & Co., Inc. provides insurance products and services for energy-related risks. Operating as a coverholder and in-house underwriter, J. H. Blades underwrites, markets and places both onshore and offshore accounts of any size or complexity.