The company remains an IAATO member, but as a result of non-payment of dues and fees, is currently a member of IAATO ‘not in good standing’
This is clearly a difficult time for One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) and our sympathies are with their employees and families, as well as their clients, suppliers, and partners. We have no desire to add to the difficulties, however, in accordance with IAATO bylaws and as a result of non-payment of dues and fees, as of November 1, 2019, One Ocean Expeditions is a member of IAATO ‘not in good standing’.
As per our bylaws, while OOE remains an IAATO member, the company name has been removed from IAATO’s member directory online and OOE is no longer permitted to use the IAATO logo until such time as payment has been made.
IAATO members are required to pay their dues and fees by November 1 each year. Any and all members failing to do so remain within IAATO’s membership but become members not in good standing until such time as the balance is paid. This is an administrative sanction which is lifted on payment.
OOE has been a respected member of IAATO for 11 years and has made many valuable contributions to our mission of advocating and promoting safe and environmentally responsible Antarctic travel. We are saddened to have had to take this course of action and hope for a swift resolution.
Your Questions Answered
We’ve learned OOE is a member not in good standing. What does that mean?
Each year IAATO experiences a small number of late payments from its membership. In all cases those companies remain members of IAATO, but are removed from the IAATO online membership directory and are not permitted to use the IAATO logo until dues and fees are paid.
Becoming a member not in good standing for non-payment of dues and fees is an administrative sanction that occurs automatically if membership fees are not paid on time. It does not constitute cancellation of membership in the organization.
Has OOE had its membership revoked?
No. As per our bylaws, while OOE remains an IAATO member, the company name has been removed from IAATO’s member directory online and OOE is no longer permitted to use the IAATO logo until such time as payment has been made. Any IAATO Member who fails to pay fees by the deadline is subject to the same action.
What is IAATO’s remit with regard to the financial status of Member Operators?
IAATO member Operators are a group of competitors who have come together to advance our organization’s core objectives of ensuring safe and environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic.They have agreed to subject themselves to the guidance and the discipline of their fellow Operators in support of these goals. They have not, however, agreed to share information on their business financial practices, and in fact would likely be in violation of anti-competitive, anti-trust regulations if they did. This means that IAATO has no knowledge of these things beyond what is available in publicly accessible documents. We have no mechanism for monitoring members’ business practices and no authority to intervene. We have written to Members to make this remit clear.
What does it take to be removed from IAATO’s membership?
Removal of a member from IAATO membership requires an investigation by IAATO’s Compliance & Dispute Resolution Committee and a recommendation from the Executive Committee followed by a vote of all IAATO Operators in good standing. No member can be summarily dismissed for non-payment of fees.
Can IAATO Members not in good standing still travel to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands?
Members not in good standing with IAATO can still travel to Antarctica provided they have permission or authorization from their competent authority.