I recall that Tidewater’s Singapore fleet, a.k.a Reg’s Rent a wreck were classed with ABS. Enough said.
The rumor mill says Morty finally paid the first missed check.
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They may have a reputation of being a more stringent operation. . . but. . . . . these kinds of things are very dependent on the personnel in the field. I do know that I surveyed a ship changing from DNV to ABS and there were some MAJOR issues. Now, that isn’t fair to DNV, because it may be atypical, and there was also an underlying reason for the change in society. . . and I do consider that there are differences, even in the IACS societies, too. Like any regulatory body, Class Societies have their issues, and there have certainly been some lapses . . . .
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I wonder how DNV just issued BTC a new DOC attesting to ISM compliance with the last 6 months of operating history of the company…particularly the last 60 days? There is some real magic going on with USCG and TPO to authorize and approve that to happen…?
Wonder how DOC is issued? I think each vessel is it’s own company. As per vessel or company (BTC) as a whole? Anybody up on this stuff?THX
In the case of BTC each vessel is incorporated separately, and the USCG issued Vessel Document lists BTC as the operator, so a single ISM Document of compliance is issued to BTC ( the management company). The issuance is a little tricky for BTC now and the circumstances surrounding how and the justification is a little interesting.
Under the IACS guidance (PR-9)
3.1.1 Document of Compliance (DOC)
3.1.1.1 A DOC shall be issued to a Company following an initial or renewal verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM Code.
(BTC is not technically eligible for an intrium audit as it is not a new company, and there should be serious doubts aboutthier meeting the requirements of the ISM code).
3.1.1.2 The Company shall make available copies of the DOC to each office location and each ship covered by the SMS.
3.1.1.3 On completion of the audit, a DOC with validity not exceeding five (5) years may be issued by the auditor. A certificate of shorter validity may be issued in accordance with RO’s procedures and flag State requirements
(so effectively DNV is stating they found BTC in compliance with the ISM code?)
Normally for a new company an initial audit would be conducted to confirm the Safety Management System (SMS) meets ISM and Flag State requirements, the SMS is available in required locations and the persons with SMS responsibilities have been adequately trained. If all is good the RO/TPO issues an interim DOC good for 3 months. They come back after three months conduct a second audit to confirm effective implementation and issue a full term (5 year document) if all is well.
BTC has an existing SMS and had a DOC issued by ABS. The IACS transfer procedure would require a review of the SMS by the new RO/TPO (DNV) and an audit to ensure it has been effectively implemented… here comes the new territory with BTC… the USCG had already instructed the old RO/TPO ( ABS) to first revoke the DOC… then reinstate it after a few weeks as a short term with a every 3 moth audit schedule with specific improvement bench marks. This was back in the Fall… The have not met many of the bench marks, the SMS has been very publicly shown to be ineffective either due to poor procedures or poor implementation or both… Now DNV has (I assume) conducted a new RO/TPO audit. As this is not a new DOC they can not really issue an interim DOC under IACS guidance, so I assume they issued a short term DOC under the direction of the USCG, with a 3 month audit schedule until the USCG allows and DNV agrees to issue a full term DOC. All of this is new territory for most involved and the IACS guidance has not been rigorously followed. But hard to see how a DOC can be issued if the Company clearly is not in compliance with their own SMS, and having so many adverse COTP actions against them…
http://www.iacs.org.uk/publications/procedural-requirements/11-20/
PR-18 at the link above is the IACS procedure for transference of ISM certification from one RO to another… of course it does not account for the issues Flag State has, and is enforcing with BTC in the process…
Yes 2 of 4 checks have been paid
The 3rd should be in tomorrow, Monday
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Happy for you Mariner Wife, equally so for your guy that is scratching his head over all this madness. Keep his back, He has some tough choices ahead.
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Glad Morty pulled it off, not for him but our fellow Mariners. What finance guru got his plane? There will be a few “Events” down the road to follow this escapade. Some big fish have a little more of the pie.
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Easy fella. That is just the back wages. Nothing going fwd. and no vendors paid or equipment released. Still a long doubtful way to go.
Easy as I can be Serpico. Better than it was, and agree, long way to go. Glad the boys got paid finally. As I stated, more events to follow this escapade. One step at a time. As I also said, Some big fish are lurking , with a different color paint in mind.
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Anybody else notice that in the announcement from BTC that they are Bouchard Transportation Co. INC… now. They use to be an LLC… my guess is that BTC is still privately help but no longer 1 family.
Hopefully the new money will require Morty to get a technical management company… and get him away from vessel management and focus on sales and commercial management.
Lack of capital was just a symptom of a very deep and serious failure of vessel management… just throwing money at it with no systemic changes will accomplish nothing and just kick the failure can down the road a little…,
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Bouchard Transportation Co.,Inc was never an LLC
Bouchard Ocean Services was an LLC
Bouchard Coastwise Mgmt. was an LLC
They were eliminated and all assets reverted to BTC as there was no tax benefit for keeping the other two.
Technical management company? He will never relinquish control.
Thanks and I stand corrected on BTC INC vs LLC. I am quit sure each vessel is incorporated as its own entity, and BTC Inc. is management company. And I agree unless forced by outside investors or USCG he will never relinquish control. I still wonder what customers would use him? His company failed in an up market due to severe mis-management? Dollars will not solve that.
First let me say…to all the merchant marines out there please stay safe… Update: Payroll was Due Monday, 3/23…Ummm not seen it yet…being told funds have been wired but nothing in adp and no word as of yet when or if this is going to happen. Also, the 5% interest on back wages has not been paid either.
Was curious if Morty was following through or not. Or if any of his units are working yet.
That’s all I know