Stephan joined the UK Maritime Authority in 2005 working first in Search and Rescue and then Counter Pollution and Salvage. He served as the Deputy to the Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) until 2018 before being appointed to the role of SOSREP in 2019. Stephan works closely with all stakeholders involved in casualty response. He is the UK Competent Authority for wreck removal and for designating places of refuge for vessels requiring assistance. Stephan works with national and international partners to improve maritime incident response.