The TSMS Strategic Alliance has announced that SCORE-Global of Covington, KY has been become the Alliance's newest partner. The TSMS Strategic Alliance was formed in July, 2012 by Baker Lyman (BL) and Germanischer Lloyd Group (GL) to meet the growing need for Sub-Chapter M compliance services. Tug & Barge Solutions (TBS) of Mobile joined the organization in September of last year.
“SCORE-Global rounds out the delivery service capabilities of the TSMS Strategic Alliance. In fact, SCORE-Global enhances our product line far beyond what was envisioned in the original BL/GL concept”, Rocky Marchiano of Baker Lyman said, “the partnering of SCORE-Global has confirmed that the TSMS Strategic Alliance is the dominate force in Sub-Chapter M compliance services. The only competitor of any consequence is ABS.”
“We are pleased to have reached agreement with the Alliance partners. The industry could not have asked for better compliance services leadership. GL and Noble Denton are global marketmakers in Marine, Gas, and Oil. The DNV-GL merger only helps US inland and coastal UTV operators. Pat Folan, Steve Wilson, and Patrick Boles of TBS are on the cutting edge of Sub-Chapter M assessment and plan writing processes. What can I say about Baker Lyman ? BL is the industry warhorse that has been championing Sub-M solutions since the NPRM in 2011. SCORE-Global is proud to be part of such a dynamic team,” Dave Hammond, President of SCORE-Global explained.
“The TSMS Strategic Alliance has concentrated some of the towing industry's key compliance folks. Individually, Kevin Mullen, Andy Cannava, and Rocky Marchiano are some of the very best regulatory compliance guys in the country. Putting them under the same roof was a stroke of genius,” Pat Folan, TBS COO intimated.
Each Alliance partner is a matter expert in select Sub-Chapter M processes. TBS conducts Sub-Chapter M assessments and plan writing. Baker Lyman provides Sub- Chapter M recordkeeping solutions with their type-approved CORSAIR TVR software. Germanischer Lloyd certifies TSMS plans and conducts office and vessel TSMS audits/surveys on behalf of the United States Coast Guard. SCORE-Global will provide non-exclusive auditors/surveyors, risk assessments services, and insurance/underwriting vetting services.
While Sub-Chapter M has not been finalized the TSMS Strategic Alliance has been encouraging clients to enroll in the TSMS Transition Program which is a USCG approved 33 CFR Part 96 Safety Management System that meets the proposed Sub- Chapter M requirements.
“The TSMS Transition Program was introduced at SUNY Maritime in October, 2012 to a group comprised mostly of AWO members. The level of misinformation and misunderstanding of Sub-Chapter M issues as related to the Responsible Carrier Program was evident. The TSMS Transition Program was developed to meet that misinformation gap,” Marchiano suggested, “SCORE-Global brings another level of service to the AWO membership.”
American Waterways Operators seems to have scored a win with the TSMS Strategic Alliance as Germanischer Lloyd, TBS, and SCORE-Global are all affilated with AWO. TBS and SCORE-Global are divisions of AWO members Ivy Marine and Inland Marine Services. Germanischer Lloyd is an AWO associate member. Baker Lyman, while not an AWO member, has been providing services to the AWO membership since before AWO's founding in the 1940s.
“The driving force towards Sub-Chapter M compliance must be built on solid, concurrent relationships with USCG, TSAC, and AWO. SCORE-Global brings these relationships to the table and strengthens the Alliance's already strong hand” , Hammond continued, “Our focus must be advocacy as well as service delivery. The Alliance is unique in that each Alliance partner is a matter expert or vessel operator. Giving the AWO membership, and industry as a whole, such a strong compliance options is both good policy and good business.”
