Mike Grainger is a founding shareholder and in 1994 became the Managing Director of Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA), a Tasmanian based manufacturer of Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) and large capacity liferafts for the international passenger ferry, mega yacht and defence market. Global exports make up for 95% of turnover.

Mike has more than 30 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry and is a founding member of the Tasmania Maritime Network.

He is currently a member of the DNVGL International Ferry Committee. This committee is active in the implementation of improved regulations for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding international ferry safety standards. The Committee meets bi-annually in Europe and North America.

He is the former Chairman of the TT-Line Company Ltd Board. TT-Line is the Tasmanian Government owned operator of the “Spirit of Tasmania” passenger, vehicle and freight vessel ferry service between Tasmania and mainland Australia. Mike was appointed to the TT-Line Board of Directors in 2005. He served as Chairman from February 2012 through to August 2024. He was also the Chairman of the Vessel Replacement / Procurement Committee, the Audit & Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee. 

In October 2018 Mike retired as Chairman of the Board of Interferry, an international shipping association representing the ferry industry world-wide. The current membership consists of over 200 member organizations representing 600 individuals from 35 countries. Interferry has consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is an affiliation of The United Nations. Mike was appointed as a Director in 2008 and elected Chairman of Interferry in October 2012. Mike was instrumental in the decision of the Interferry Board to announce that the Interferry annual conference will be held in Hobart during October 2023.