APA president Captain Michael Watson was elected president of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association at the IMPA Congress in Havana, Cuba on Friday, November 24, 2006.  He will serve a 4-year term and is the first US president of IMPA in over 30 years.  

       Captain Otavio Fragoso, Brazil, was elected senior vice president.  Captains Cahit Istikbal, Turkey; Rudophe Striga, France; Jon Martin Cobeaga Ibieta, Spain; and Gwee Bok Lee, Korea, were each elected to vice president positions -- Captains Fragoso, Istikbal and Striga to 4-year terms; Captains Cobeaga and Lee to 2-year terms.  Captain Steve Pelecanos, Australia, is also a vice president with 2 years remaining on his term.