Page 38: of Marine News Magazine (February 2012)

38MNFebruary 2012 Operators Responsible Carriers Program, noticed the difficulty that small and mid-sized companies were having in maintaining their Safety Management Systems. Tugboat Compliance Systems was established in 2007 as a cost effective alternative for smaller companies.Teicheira found that safety pro- grams and protocols were usually in place, but largely informal in theirapplication. Beyond this, the some- times-proprietary in-house computer programs used to facilitate these duties could become neglected oncethe in-house IT facilitator left thecompany. With a Safety Management System (SMS) software adjunct for auditing safety in mind, Tugboat Compliance Systems aims to be the towing industry?s version of the blue- water SMS. TugBoat Compliance software has all the components of the Responsible Carrier Program ? digitizing and leading to better dataand time-stamped alarms. The soft- ware also provides snapshots of key data. Specifically geared to Subchapter ?M? / RCP requirements, the system can integrate existing databut also can set up for those whohaven?t yet gotten on board. The sys- tem is set up especially for those whodon?t have a system already, easily cre- ates templates and reports. Incorporating controlled docu- ments and ?levels of access? that allow only those designated to see whatthey need to do their job, employee access, for example, might be limitedto the knowledge base. An Auditor would have access to ?Read Only? files. Tugboat Compliance reports two customers on board, with more in the discussions stage. No software is required ? the system is run through an online web-based portal. A desktop software companion can allow for transmitting later when an internet connection is not immedi-ately available. The web-based sub- scription software requires no large up-front investment in software, servers or an in-house IT department. This, according to Teicheira, results in lower initial investment and a transfer of the traditional IT duties tothe software provider. Teicheira adds, ?Just the ticket for small and medium sized operators.? TugBoat Compliance software has all the components of the Responsible Carrier Program SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGYSeeking more information on the Software Companies covered in this story? Find it on the Web, of course!Baker, Lyman & Co. / CORSAIR http://www.bakerlyman.com/ BargeOps www.bargeex.com Boatracswww.boatracs.com Edochttp://www.edocgroup.com MarineCFOhttp://www.MarineCFO.com TUGBOAT Compliance Systems www.tugcomp.com MN#2 (32-43):MN 2011 Layouts 2/3/2012 11:44 AM Page 38