Maritime lawyer Brian Starer is set to join an elite group of US Merchant Marine Academy alumni, after being nominated to enter its hall of distinguished graduates.

It is a rare honour. Only 31 of 22,500 graduates of the New York-based academy, better known as Kings Point, have been accorded the accolade.

Starer is among the world’s most experienced casualty lawyers, advising on more than 125 major marine disasters over a 45-year career.