The International Harbour Masters' Association is the professional body for those with responsibility for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound conduct of marine operations in port waters. Worldwide there are approximately 3,000 merchant ports and the work of the Harbour Master can vary widely from country to country and from port to port, even within the same country. For this reason, the Association strives to bring together all those who hold a managerial position in aspects of the control of Marine Operations within a port or its approaches, whatever their job title. Furthermore, the Association seeks to develop and foster good relations between its members world-wide through its regular communications and meetings for members and by representing the professional views of its members internationally, regionally, and nationally. The International Harbour Masters’ Association also has non-governmental, consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).