?A good day is one where we are successful in controlling our exposures?

?

At BLG 10/15/20-01-2006 it was noted by OCIMF/ICS that ??STS has been proven over a significant period to be able to be conducted safely and without incident where sound management is applied in all aspects of the operation??.

Having that in mind and considering the new MARPOL CHAPTER 8 of ANNEX I related to regulations 40, 41, 42 as well as the fact that OCIMF/ICS is about to publish the new STS guidelines, it is clear that vetting inspections on board will examine the STS performance of a ship as well as Managers Policies in a different perspective that will satisfy certain ?Preferred criteria?.

The obvious question raised, is related to the extent that Managers satisfy and/or fulfill their procedures outlined in their STS Plans especially those associated with the assessment of records. Furthermore it is related to the extent they exercise their due diligence in order to mitigate their liability as well as the liability of charterers and cargo owners.

It is believed that vetting inspections on board vessels will focus on two issues. The first issue will be the evaluation of the policies and procedures outlined in the STS Plan and the second issue will be the assessment of records and how those are utilized towards Seafarers familiarization, training and export of KPI?s.

As far as the Management Company audits are concerned, it is believed that the constructive assessment of records within the TMSA regime as well as the technical support provided to their Masters prior commencement of the STS Operation are issues that need to be seen in depth.

The OnlineSTS.net Screening and risk assessment service assists towards relieving Ship Managers and their Masters from the workload of STS Record?s assessment, KPI?s and STS Policies. The turnkey solution provided by OSIS offers a substantial added value to the screening process by providing past performance data of stakeholders.

Some Good Practices that are proposed to be adopted by Ship Managers are outlined below:

?

• Make sure that your STS Policies are clear, gradable and not in conflict
• Develop a well documented Screening Process for STS nominated vessels
• Grade your nominated vessel screening outcome
• Keep a well documented record of the technical advice to your Masters, especially with Fender Selection, effect of rolling, practices to prevent mooring lines breakdown etc
• Consider at your Risk Assessment the consolidated outcome of OSIS as shown at http://www.onlinests.net/index.php?option=com_overall
• Keep a well documented track of your STS Operations and the Officers Synthesis. This will save you time when same data are requested
• Assess the records after the completion of the STS Operation
• Create your KPI?s from your assessments and incorporate same at your screening procedure.

?

?

Thank you

Onlinests.net TEAM

?

?

?

?

?

?