A worrying disconnect has developed between public-company executives entrusted with the safety of their crews and financial backers concerned only with the financial performance of their investment.

That was a key takeaway from a panel of five Connecticut Maritime Association commodores gathered today at the Shipping 2017 conference.

Teekay Corp chairman C Sean Day, who is stepping down from the post in June, said earlier in the session that safety is the first item of business at every company board meeting.

Veteran