Nearly 5 years LTI free and with a record of continuously improving and fine tuning its safety systems, Pacific Towing (PacTow) recently passed its International Safety Management (ISM) Code audit. The voluntary audit was conducted in accord with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the United Nations agency specialising in maritime and shipping affairs.
The aim of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of PacTow’s Safety Management System with regard to its vessels as well as its shore-based support. The audit was conducted in accordance with a variety of IMO standards and international industry best practice.
HSSEQ Manager and Designated Person Ashore (DPA) Richard Hayka reports that the audit, which was conducted by HSE New Zealand, incorporated not only the ISM Code but also the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The audit was conducted online due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Importantly, Hayka confirmed that the audit verified PacTow’s Safety Management System was in compliance with all mandatory rules and regulations. This is in line with the company’s expectation that it will be certified for ISO standards 9001:2015, 14001:2015 and 45001:2018 by midyear.
The audit also found that all annual vessel surveys were up to date and in accord with the National Maritime Safety Authority’s (NMSA) requirements. Furthermore, statutory certificates reviewed as part of the internal audit were found to be valid, and company records verified that all policies were properly implemented.
Adding to the safety credentials of PacTow, is the recent employment of an Operations Manager with considerable international oil and gas sector experience, including emergency response – Captain Marcelo Santini. Together, Hayka and Santini are getting ready for another audit; they are preparing PacTow’s dedicated tug base at Motukea, Port Moresby for an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) gap audit. Hayka says that he expects certification for this next audit to be achieved by the end of Q3 this year.
To learn more about Pacific Towing and its safety credentials: www.pacifictowingmarineservices.com
