Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (May 2013)

Says ClassNK Chairman Noboru Ueda, ?If our presence can help reduce the burden of compliance on the industry, than we consider that a success.? SUBCHAPTER M ? MAPPING THE SOLUTION In advance of the  nal Subchapter M rule, ClassNK real- ized that many owners want to get ahead of the curve. The partnership with SMS LLC allows ClassNK to be involved early in the process, providing owners with comprehensive services to assist at every stage of the process. And, while ClassNK is very focused on subM and the brown water markets, the SMS LLC transaction is also rap- idly emerging as a cornerstone for ClassNK?s total push into North America. Leveraging the SMS LLC local connec- tions, ClassNK will eventually perform subchapter M cer- ti cations and inspections. SMS LLC, with years of crafting ISM, ISO and management system solutions to blue water clients, will formulate compliance solutions designed spe-ci cally for each client. SMS LLC Director of Operations William Mahoney told MarineNews in April, ?We?ve seen what works and what doesn?t. You have to be able to tailor it to the client.? Alluding to the push by some  rms to make software the primary basis for compliance, he added, ?Soft- ware will not have as a big a role as people think it will. If used judicially, and if it  ts into your IT infrastructure, then it can work. That said, directing clients into a rigid solution doesn?t serve every client well.? Looking ahead towards implementation of the  nal rule, Mahoney has advice for those just setting sail. ?The SMS method may be especially attractive to smaller out ts that are comfortable leveraging the towing vessel record. On the other hand, the ?middle market? may be most drawn to a canned solution ? the easy way. But, the solution needs to be sustainable. It is one thing to pass the initial audit and another thing altogether, to maintain it. We appeal to both ends of the spectrum; those who are quite small and those very large companies who can afford the custom- ized solution. Many of these companies are already doing the right things. We believe in leveraging the good that?s already in place.? Mahoney?s team will defer to ClassNK on technical items and focus on management systems, bringing lessons learned in blue water to inland operators. And, although their clients primarily include tankship and general cargo operators, that?s not to say that they have no brown water roots. The Staten Island Ferry has been a client since 2005. The new relationship will require additional personnel, and like ClassNK?s North American group, SMSLLC will hire additional talent in the near term. ClassNK will also leverage ?lessons learned? from its SMS LLC Director of Operations William Mahoney 26 MNMay 2013MN May2013 Layout 18-31.indd 26MN May2013 Layout 18-31.indd 265/3/2013 12:52:57 PM5/3/2013 12:52:57 PM