Human Rights at Sea is proud to introduce our new Global Ambassadors supporting the organisation's international human rights' development work around the world. This follows our relaunch in October 2025.
The need for informed leading maritime professionals to help drive forward the human rights at sea narrative has never been more important to assure transparency and independence of thought leadership, law and policy development.
Human Rights at Sea is delighted to welcome six new ambassadors, and one returning former Trustee.
Yashika Torib
Alfred 'Bubba' Cook
Alfred "Bubba" Cook has spent a lifetime on the ocean and the last 22 years working in fisheries conservation and management. At age 18, he joined the United States Navy's Nuclear Power Program, which took him around the world and sparked an interest in global affairs and, especially, international fisheries.
Dr. Khanssa Lagdami
Dr. Khanssa Lagdami is an internationally recognized Associate Professor of Maritime Labour Law and Policy at the World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden, with deep expertise in the protection and advancement of human rights at sea.
"I am honoured to be invited to contribute to the ongoing mission and development of Human Rights at Sea, and I appreciate the trust placed in me by you, Lord Teverson, and the organisation. I look forward to collaborating with you, Patron, fellow Ambassadors, Non-Executive Directors, and volunteers to advocate for and enhance the vital work of protecting and advancing human and labour rights at sea. I remain committed to supporting the objectives and values of the organisation and promoting the rights and welfare of all persons living, working, and moving at sea."
Dr. Marika McAdam
Dr Marika McAdam is an international law and policy adviser who works globally to strengthen the implementation of international human rights law in State practice. She has served as a consultant and adviser to the United Nations, regional inter-governmental organisations, civil society and private sector actors.
"Every one of us, regardless of where we live, relies on the work of the millions of men and women at sea. Yet the sea is often a forgotten frontier in human rights discourse. I see the mission of Human Rights at Sea as being to redress that imbalance, so the voices of people working, traveling and migrating in maritime spaces are not drowned out by other agendas. I look forward to promoting the Geneva Declaration at Human Rights at Sea as a blueprint for maritime multilateralism, and a practical tool for ensuring that human rights are not neglected in the 70% of the planet that is ocean, but are at the forefront of its governance.”
Craig Tuck
Craig Tuck is a Strategic Litigation Specialist. He has worked all over the world on complex, large-scale civil and criminal litigation focusing on criminal justice and human rights cases. He leads multi-disciplinary teams seeking access to justice against governments and multi-national corporations.
"I am honoured to join Human Rights at Sea as a voluntary Global Ambassador: I look forward to contributing to and collaborating with HRAS together with Patron, Lord Teverson of Tregony in raising the profile of the human rights of those serving us on our seas and oceans. We are united by our shared focus on human dignity and amplifying the voices of the marginalised."
Dr. Olga Martin-Ortega
Dr. Olga Martin-Ortega is Professor of International Law at the University of Greenwich. She leads the Business, Human Rights and the Environment Research Group (BHRE, www.bhre.org), which she founded in 2013.
"“I am delighted to join Human Rights at Sea as a Global Ambassador. HRAS has pioneered the protection of people at sea and challenged corporate impunity in the marine environment for over a decade now. It is a privilege to join them in their mission and to do so in the memory of one of its greatest champions, my friend, the scholar and visionary Professor Steven Haines. I only hope I can live up to this honour as he deserves.”
Paul MacGillivary
Paul MacGillivary is a long‑time seafarer welfare advocate and currently a Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) Global Ambassador. As a vocal advocate for HRAS’s Maritime Levy Campaign in Australia for the past four years, he has been urging the federal government to create a national, long-term funding model for seafarer welfare and ensure Australia’s obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC).
"As a vocal advocate for Human Rights at Sea’s Maritime Levy Campaign in Australia for the past four years, our main objective has been to encourage the Federal Government to set up a national, long-term pathway to fund seafarer welfare, ensuring Australia continues to meet its obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC). The campaign proposes enhancing current maritime levy structures with minimal legislative change to fund welfare services for seafarers at Australian ports. To push this campaign forward, we will continue engaging with government leaders, the Australian Seafarers Welfare Council (ASWC), seafarer welfare providers, and port authorities. We will also continue to help develop and support port welfare committees to ensure welfare services are available to those who need them."
ENDS.
Source: Human Rights at Sea 2025.
AI. AI was not used in the drafting of this article.
Photo Credit: Human Rights at Sea Global Ambassadors 2025.
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