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INDUSTRY - FLAG STATES
demonstrated true commitment to the vessel’s
safety. There have been several dozen vessels
which have been denied services by IRS
during 2009, the class society claimed.
IRS’ managing director Said Nassif.
our probability of success is much higher in
the current scenario,” he said.
Co-operation
IRS said that the organisation believed that by
co-operating with medium sized class
societies could assist it in lobbying efforts in
more countries in the same way as it does in
different countries. IRS also said that it was
taking a lead in working with several medium
sized class societies through the exchange of
ideas and by trying to develop a common
position, etc.
An automated workflow program is
currently in place within IRS. It is a
computerised paperless system used to control
the movement of documents according to its
quality management system, ensuring that the
checks and balances stipulated in the QMS are
strictly adhered to and to improve traceability,
as well as the verification of its processes. IRS
said that the reduction in the use of paper was
also environmentally friendly. The
organisation also claimed that this system also
improved the efficiency of document
archiving and retrieval processes.
For all the relevant vessel information, IRS
has compiled a database called ‘e-ships’,
which keeps track of all ships particulars,
details of the surveys and their results, survey
and certification status, history of PSC
inspections, casualties, modifications, etc.
IRS said that its vetting process was
different than that practised by many other
class societies. “We do not make restrictions
based on the age, flag, country of beneficial
ownership, etc,” Punnoose explained.
The basis of the class society’s vetting
process is a belief that in many cases
shortcomings in effectiveness of the safety
management system are due to a genuine lack
of resources, despite a true commitment from
owners. There is an acute shortage of trained
professionals in the maritime industry.
Small/medium sized owners are often not
blessed with the best of the available talents.
IRS said that one of the main reasons for its
success has been its willingness to work with
small and medium sized owners by supporting
them in their desire to overcome any
shortcomings.
IRS also pointed out that if true
commitment from the top management was
not found, the organisation would prefer not to
work with such owners/managers. Repeated
detentions, casualties, or lack of commitment
in dealing with
surveys/audits/recommendations in a timely
fashion are IRS’ lack of commitment
indicators.
In such cases, before committing to
undertake full class entry surveys, IRS insists
on a pre-entry survey/audit, the main purpose
of which is to establish if the owner has
Risk profile
IRS has also created a risk profile for the
vessels currently in its fleet, using the same
parameters as mentioned above. As the risk
level of a vessel increases, the class society
offers to work with the owners to correct any
problems. If they do not show interest in
addressing the concerns and their risk level
further increases, IRS requires additional
survey/audit for certification to continue. In
some cases, such requirements may be as
harsh as requiring a special survey, including
drydocking, a long way ahead of schedule.
IRS claimed that were scores of vessels that
had to leave class due to this process.
The question of detentions is always a
thorny issue with any class society and flag
state. Outlining its record, IRS said that it had
experienced no US Coast Guard detentions for
several years. The performance under Tokyo
MOU was described as “not bad”. The
situation with the Paris MOU has improved
quite a lot over several years. “We also are
expecting further improvement in the coming
years,” Punnoose said.
IRS said that it was a strong supporter of
port state control regime as it is envisaged in
various international conventions. “However,
we certainly do not support port state control
practices in many countries. We do not intend
to make all our quality improvement measures
just around improving our PSC records. We
believe that such a path will only help us to
lose our focus from small and medium sized
shipowners and developing countries. Our role
is to be facilitators of safe shipping”, he
emphasised.
As an ISO 9001:2000 certified organisation,
IRS claims to have systems built in its quality
management system to find weaknesses and
address them. Several of the quality
improvement programmes listed below were
the positive results of an effective quality
management system.
Progressively moving in to a completely
exclusive network of surveyors.
Implementing a continuing education
programme for surveyors, covering all
aspects of class and statutory surveys.
Two-day regional meetings have been held
for the surveyors, where various quality
improvement programmes were
extensively discussed. The meetings were
held in Odessa during October 2008, in Ho
Chi Minh City in February 2009 and in
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