The MTD joins the rest of the international maritime community in mourning the passing of
longtime seafarer advocate George Quick.
Brother Quick, 93, was the Pilots Membership Group Vice President for the International
Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots (MM&P) since 1982. At the International Maritime
Organization (IMO), the London-based United Nations body responsible for shipping regulation,
he represented the International Maritime Pilots’ Association and the International Transport
Workers’ Federation (ITF). In February of this year, the IMO recognized him for his 50 years of
service to the global maritime community.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of George Quick’s passing,” MTD President David Heindel
stated. “Losing a dedicated and long-serving colleague is never easy. I really admired and
respected George.
“As I knew him, his efforts were never about him or his status, it was always about making life
better for seafarers,” added Heindel who is the chair of the ITF Seafarers Section. “He was one
of the good ones. I know the ITF’s Maritime Safety Committee will surely miss his council and
contributions.”
MM&P President Don Marcus noted, “Captain George Quick set an example for all of us and
leaves a legacy of achievement that won’t be forgotten. He was a wonderful person, a friend of
seafarers and a brilliant leader.”
The New York native was born October 13, 1929, and graduated from the U.S. Merchant
Marine Academy in 1951. He obtained a Juris Doctor Degree in 1967 from the University of
Baltimore.
A deck officer upon his graduation from Kings Point, Quick entered the training program for the
Association of Maryland Pilots in 1956. He received his first class pilots’ license in 1962. He
served as the president of the Association of Maryland Pilots from 1969 to 1983, and as vice
president of the American Pilot Association from 1972 to 1986.
An expert on pilotage laws and regulations, he testified in hearings before boards, commissions
and legislative committees nationwide.