News from Our Members
Sandigan Gives BASSnet™ Maintenance System The Thumbs Up
Oslo, Norway, 5 October 2011: Philippines-based Sandigan Ship Services Inc. (Sandigan) has signed up with BASS for the delivery of BASSnet Maintenance (PMS) software for its fleet of vessels, giving its stamp of approval to the Maintenance module’s versatile, efficient and easy-to-use features.
To date, BASS’ PMS (Planned Maintenance System)/ Inventory control modules have been installed on 11 of Sandigan’s ships, with another 16 vessels slated for installation by December this year.
“The BASSnet fleet management system has many features which will enable improved decision-making throughout our operations and achieve greater transparency, for internal review, follow up, reporting, and business improvement, as well as for reporting to external parties and our stakeholders”, said Capt. Tomoyoshi Yanagita, President of Sandigan Ship Services, Inc.
“More automated processes, less administrative paperwork, compliance, and a better understanding of how the entire fleet is run with BASSnet fleet management systems are what we hope to achieve in the long term,” Capt. Yanagita added.
BASS won the confidence of Sandigan after it thumped five leading marine IT companies in an extensive selection process, where the respective companies made presentations to Sandigan, which assessed the capabilities of all the participants.
“Sandigan’s selection of BASS’s fleet maintenance system is a valuable recognition of BASS’ consistent ability to meet our customers’ needs and expectations,” said BASS Head of Sales (Asia), Mark Ravi.
BASS won the coveted job as its PMS/inventory control modules are simple to use, and are based on current IT trends. BASSnet Maintenance is built on the latest Microsoft .NET technology, and allows applications of common skills across a variety of devices, application types, and programming tasks, and integrates with other tools and technologies to build the right solution, while reducing workloads.
The module functions as a planned or structured maintenance system which handles Sandigan vessels’ components, spare list and job maintenance procedures, that are verified by a superintendent.
Thanks to the module’s advanced functionalities, Sandigan’s vessel maintenance information is now reported in a timely and accurate manner accompanied by relevant data, with the maintenance system constantly providing up-to-date information. The process involves all components including a list of spare parts, transfer of materials and maintenance jobs impacting ships, to be fed into the system. Additional information including photographs, measurements and reports are also attachable.
Once the vessel has carried out updates on the jobs completed, a replicator is run and all information is automatically transferred to the company’s office database. This ensures that the operator has a comprehensive, credible, accurate and easily accessible maintenance history of the vessel, accessible to both personnel onboard as well as in the office.
With the use of a planner filter, jobs can be separated based on their importance ranking. The Planner screen gives users a good overview of the maintenance tasks ahead, showing the scheduled jobs based on the filters that are specified.
Once a job is concluded, the reporting system offers an option to move the just concluded job to history. This “move to history” option is solely controlled by the Master/Chief engineer onboard a vessel, or superintendant in the office who reviews the job reporting and makes any corrections/additions as required.
The system also offers a sub-component function, which is for equipment that are movable, and have their own life cycle and maintenance program. This sub module will plan their maintenance program by keeping track of running hours separately, for example, main engine pistons and exhaust valves.
BASS, founded in 1997, is a leading global provider of fleet management software for ship owners and ship managers as well as operators of rigs and floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) and offshore units. More than 100 customers, including many of the world´s leading shipping companies and offshore service providers, run fully-integrated BASSnet™ Fleet Management Systems on more than 1,000 vessels around the world in order to manage their assets, operations and human resources, ensure regulatory compliance and improve financial results. For more information, please send an email to news@bassnet.no or visit www.bassnet.no
Seachefs Project Addresses Training Skills Gap
How to crew the fleet with qualified ships cooks is a taxing question. New MLC 2006 Regulations require Managers to ensure that cooks are trained, qualified and found competent.
The EU Seachefs pilot project completed with assistance from InterManager member Bernhardt Schulte’s Ship Management Training Centre in Cyprus, takes a new approach to the problem.
It focuses on delivering a standardised, fast-track, training for seagoing cooks. On the one hand, Seachefs aims to define uniform standards for cooks; on the other hand Seachefs charts a path to switch hotel and catering personnel to the maritime sector to address the shortage issue.
For more information see pdf below:
Seachefs Project Report (174)
Real Time Tutoring To Meet Real Business Need
Real Time Tutoring To Meet Real Business Need: The New Videotel Academy MLC 2006 CBT Course
No matter which flag their vessels fly or which country they are from, ship operators will soon have no option but to comply with the obligations of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention – and now is the time to prepare. However, they face the challenge of finding high quality, flexible and user friendly training that suits the needs of personnel who operate in diverse working environments with unusual working hours. Videotel Marine International now provides the answer, with the launch of the on-line Videotel Academy MLC 2006 tutor assisted distance learning course, incorporating computer based training (CBT), the first programme of its kind in the industry and the only course of its kind to offer real time on-line tutoring across the globe.
“The ILO Maritime Labour Convention is probably the single most important international regulation affecting manning and labour affairs that has been seen for many generations,” says Nigel Cleave, CEO at Videotel. “It covers every aspect of the manning of ships, from employment conditions to medical standards, and from crew accommodation to work hour regulations.
“We feel that the extensive training needed should be conducted in real time by a senior course tutor with significant experience in the field. However the range of roles and responsibilities held by course participants also demands that the training be flexible and available on demand. Videotel Academy tutor-assisted CBT training perfectly suits those seemingly conflicting requirements by combining distance learning techniques with the traditional advantages of the support and interaction provided by learning in a classroom environment. Participants really benefit from the ability to communicate ‘face to face’ with their course tutor and receive mentoring and academic support in real time.”
The course is on-line and tutor supported, and follows a structured learning programme lasting 12 weeks. It provides the essential knowledge required from those responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with the standards of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention. Participants will be encouraged to engage in on-line discussions with the course tutor and fellow delegates to pool experience and knowledge.
The tutor for the course is David Dearsley who has over 45 years of experience in the shipping industry at sea and ashore, some 25 years of which was working as Deputy Secretary General of the ISF where he was responsible for co-ordinating the global shipowners position on initiating, reaching agreement on and then drafting and developing the text for the MLC. He has also worked with the IMO and the ILO.
Training Saves Lives: Videotel Joins With Mines Rescue Marine
Training Saves Lives: Videotel Joins With Mines Rescue Marine To Launch Entry Into Enclosed Spaces Training Series
Accidents in enclosed spaces are frequent, often fatal – but crucially, also avoidable. Videotel Marine International has joined forces with Mines Rescue Marine to launch a brand new training series, Entry into Enclosed Spaces. The programme delivers a hard hitting message to both ship board and shore based personnel that will ensure that when working in enclosed spaces the correct equipment is used and good safety procedures become second nature.
“There is no excuse for the unacceptable casualties we have seen recently,” says Stephen Bond, Deputy Chairman, Videotel. “Again and again we hear of seafarers coming to grief in enclosed spaces. These incidents could have been avoided by an understanding of the dangers of entering enclosed spaces and the critical importance of following proper procedures. We are convinced that the Entry into Enclosed Spaces Training Series will help save lives.”
“We are delighted to have been able to work with Mines Rescue Marine to create this programme. For over 100 years, their Mines Rescue Service has developed its specialist skills, experience and knowledge gained from working in a difficult and potentially dangerous environment to effect the rescue and escape of mineworkers from underground. This experience has proven invaluable in helping to construct the training programme, ensuring it is both realistic and practical.”
With comprehensive written material including case studies and student exercises, the package consists of 6 programmes covering awareness; preparation and procedures; equipment; enclosed spaces entry; emergency procedures and rescue; and the correct use of breathing apparatus. It is available in a range of formats – interactive CD-ROM, through Videotel on Demand (VOD) and VHS/DVD with supporting booklets.
Entry into Enclosed Spaces was launched onboard the HQS Wellington by Captain Terry Jewell, Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.
