It is with great sadness that GlobalMET mourns the passing of Captain Rod Short of New Zealand, a prominent maritime educator and a long-standing and highly respected member of the GlobalMET family.

Rod was a founding member of AMETIAP/GlobalMET and served for many years as our Executive Secretary, playing a central role in the development of the organization and its international activities.

He managed the organization's operations, communications, and international liaison, helping to establish and strengthen its relationships with maritime education and training organizations around the world. He was an influential figure in maritime education, seafarer training, and competency-based learning.

A particularly important part of Rod’s contribution was his representation of GlobalMET at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an NGO observer. He advocated for improved watch officer competency, structured shipboard training programmes (SSTP), and the development and updating of international standards. His work contributed significantly to GlobalMET’s standing and recognition at the IMO.

Rod was passionate about safety, training, and professional competence. He promoted competency-based learning and professional development, always seeking practical ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of maritime education and training.

He was equally committed to improving the working conditions and well-being of seafarers. Rod believed that the maritime industry could and should do better. He brought intelligence, determination and energy to that goal, and he was never afraid to challenge established thinking when he believed change was necessary.

Those who worked with Rod will remember him as driven, warm, highly intelligent and guided by strong ideals. He lived those ideals through his work and was an inspiration to many. His contribution went far beyond the positions he held; he helped shape the values and direction of GlobalMET and made a lasting contribution to the wider maritime profession.

We are deeply grateful for all that he gave to our organization and to our industry. We will remember him with respect and affection, and we will endeavour to do him proud by continuing the work he cared so deeply about.

GlobalMET extends its deepest condolences to Rod’s family, friends and colleagues.