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Pending USCG Subchapter ?M? (SubM) regulations will eventually require towing operators to implement safety standards and use safety management systems, or alternatively, allow for an annual Coast Guard inspection regime. The new rules are expected to allow towing vessel organizations to customize their approach to meeting the requirements, while providing oversight using audits, inspections, and reviews of safety data. As many as 5,000 vessels and their operators will eventually feel the impact of the so-called subchapter M rules. Today, almost 1,800 domestic towing vessels do not participate in any formal industry safety schemes. With the nal language not yet determined, software developers are nevertheless pushing their solutions forward, in advance of the rule itself. Beyond this, markedly different approaches to the problem are emerging. As operators try to decide what to do next, one size may not t all customers. Marine software, by now a familiar xture on the inland waterfront, is being pushed forward as at least part of the panacea for this newest regulatory burden. For Inland operators, just knowing where to start can be as intimidating as the new rules themselves. And, not everyone can afford an enterprise solution. That?s Okay: this month, MarineNews sorts it out for you. Baker Lyman / GL Alliance Baker Lyman (BL) is known primarily as a Chart Agent has branched out into maritime software. When BL and Germanischer Lloyd (GL) this summer announced a strategic partnership intended to provide a turnkey Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) design, audit and record-keeping service to towing rms, it caught everyone?s attention. First out of the box, they are also no longer alone in this arena. The Alliance has since announced that SCORE-Global of Covington, KY has been become the Alliance?s newest partner. Tug & Barge Solutions (TBS) of Mobile joined the organization in September of last year. Together, the four hope to corner the market for subchapter M compliance. According to Baker Lyman, each Alliance partner is expert in the Sub-Chapter M processes. TBS conducts assessments and writes plans. Baker Lyman provides recordkeeping solutions with their type-approved CORSAIR TVR software. Classi cation society Germanischer Lloyd will certify TSMS plans and conduct of ce and vessel TSMS audits. SCORE- Global will provide non-exclusive auditing, risk assessments, and insurance/underwriting vetting services. While the Sub-Chapter M language has not been nalized, the Alliance nevertheless encourages clients to enroll in their TSMS Transition Program. With the backdrop of industry worries of a looming dearth of TSMS service capacities for the Sub-Chapter M implementation, the new pact between these maritime providers is billed as a ?one stop shop? for Sub-M impacted operators. According to Baker Lyman, the RCP-TSMS Model Transition Plan will allow current AWO RCP companies to enroll into a statutorily certi ed TSMS process, prior to the de nition of the Sub-Chapter M Final Rule. SOFTWARE(Sub) Chapter M Finally SurfacesFor inland operators, Compliance, Safety & Technology make for heavy river trafÞ c as software providers descend on a rapidly approaching, potentially lucrative niche market. Is there a panacea for subchapter M? By Joseph Keefe MN 15www.marinelink.com MN Feb2013 Layout 1-17.indd 15MN Feb2013 Layout 1-17.indd 151/30/2013 4:51:21 PM1/30/2013 4:51:21 PM
