Baker, Lyman & Co. has announced the enrollment of the first
RCP Operator into the TSMS Transition Program. Ivy Marineof Daphane, Ala., a
red-flag carrier, entered the program earlier this month. The enrollment
signal’s Ivy Marine's furthering effort to exceed their clients’ safety
contracting protocols as well as the impending USCG Sub-Chapter M rules,
according to Ivy Marine President Steve Wilson.
The TSMS Transition Program allows both RCP and non-RCP
operators to modify their existing non-regulatory safety systems into a USCG
approved statutory safety system in advance of the Sub-Chapter M Final Rule, said
Rocky Marchiano, Baker Lyman’s director of maritime compliance. The TSMS
Transition Program is complimented by Baker Lyman’s Towing Vessel Record
software, CORSAIR TVR v.2, which the company says is the sole TSMS specific
software available to inland and coastal operators.
“The real benefit of the TSMS Transition Program is it
allows Ivy to meet our AWO RCP membership requirements within the framework of
a USCG approved safety management system without duplicating efforts,” says
Patrick Boles, Ivy's Operations Manager, in a company press release. “The
CORSAIR TVR software has been easy to implement and really covers all the bases
so far as recordkeeping is concerned.”
Marchiano said that while Ivy is implementing the TSMS
Transition Program and CORSAIR TVR v.2 concurrently some program applicants
have elected to deploy the software first as a precursor to the full program
enrollment.
“Since the CORSAIR TVR software is the backbone of the USCG
reporting and recordkeeping requirements some owners thought getting their
managers, captains, and engineers trained on the software first would lend
itself to a better program implementation flow. Baker Lyman was happy to
accommodate them to minimize the impact on their operations,” Marchiano said.
Ivy Marine will undergo a company-wide TSMS Assessment that
will evalute their existing safety management system. The plan will then be
upgraded to conform to the statutory requirements of the TSMS Transition
Program. Germanischer Lloyd (USA), a USCG authorized classification society,
will review and certify Ivy’s shoreside and vessel policies and practices as
meeting the proscribed regulatory standards. Germanischer Lloyd (USA) will also
conduct periodic audits of Ivy’s program to insure ongoing program
certification.
“Baker Lyman insures that the TSMS Transition Program and
CORSAIR TVR will meet the Sub-Chapter M Final Rule requirements through a
series of updates at no cost if required,” Marchiano said. Baker Lyman has a history of standing behind
its products and the TSMS Transition Program and CORSAIR TVR v.2 are no
different, Marchiano said.
“AWO members have been leaders in promoting industry best
practices and Ivy felt that the TSMS Transition Program was consistent with the
AWO 21 vision. How could anyone ignore the fact that big players like Baker
Lyman, Germanischer Lloyd, and Noble Denton are part of that shared vision?”
Wilson said. “Ivy will benefit so much in real savings and revenue through an
early implementation footprint. Those savings are in real dollars through lower
safer operations and enhanced business opportunities.”
Ivy's TSMS Transition Program is scheduled for statutory
certification in four months.