Who we are

Steve Ainscough is a Director and the Founder of MER Solutions. As a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the Shipping, Resource, Infrastructure and Oil and Gas industries, Steve brings his extensive knowledge and operational expertise to MER Solutions. His skill set includes maritime vessel inspections, incident investigations, maritime casualty management, legal subject matter proficiency and conducting engineering studies for a wide range maritime, resource and energy companies.

Prior to establishing MER Solutions, Steve worked with BHP, BP Shipping, Golar LNG and Maersk Oil. He also served on board FPSO’s, LNG, LPG, Product and Crude Carriers in senior engineering roles and held senior port operations and management positions for approximately 20 years across various marine industry sectors.

A qualified Category 1 OCIMF SIRE Inspector (Petroleum & Gas), Steve also holds a Class 1 Certificate of Competency (Steam & Motor) (AMSA), Bachelor of Technology (Marine Engineering), Master of Science (Marine Engineering/Naval Arch), and an MBA from Queensland University of Technology Graduate School of Business.

Paul Mitchell is a founding director of MER Solutions. With over 30 years of diverse experience in the maritime and shipping industry, Paul brings his extensive experience in seagoing, commercial operations, safety compliance and port management to MER Solutions. Along with his joint management and directorship duties, Paul is responsible for global BVIQ inspection and superintendence operations, training, and quality control. Paul also attends vessels and assists clients with representative superintendence, incident investigations, safety compliance and coaching, project management, and cargo specific advisory.

Paul developed first-hand experience with various vessels — bulk carriers, LNG tankers, container carriers, and offshore service — over a 10-year stretch at sea. Prior to MER Solutions, Paul worked in a variety of seagoing and shore based management roles for BHP, CP Ships and Teekay Shipping London, consulted throughout Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe, and held senior commercial and operational positions.

Paul is MER Solutions’ senior BVIQ inspector accreditor, senior superintendent, marine surveyor (member AIMS), loading master, and qualified grain surveyor/stevedore. Paul holds a Master Class 1 certificate of competency (AMSA), a Diploma in Nautical Science (AMC/UTAS), and a Bachelor of Business (Maritime Management) (AMC/UTAS).