Helm software helps Ivy Marine gain TSMS certification

L to R: Donny Cranfill (Marine Compliance LLC) presents Steve Wilson (Ivy) with TSMS certification

OCTOBER 30, 2017 — Mobile, AL, based Ivy Marine LLC, which operates two towboats, has become the third – and smallest —company in the U.S. to obtain certification of its Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) under the Subchapter M regulations.

Ivory Marine’s President said that the company consulted with Daphne. AL, based Tug & Barge Solutions LLC to develop a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) that was both Subchapter M compliant and met the AWO RCP standard.

“Ivy Marine partnered with Tug & Barge Solutions LLC to develop a TSMS) that meets Subchapter M and the AWO RCP standard,” said Steve Wilson, Ivy Marine’s President.

Tug & Barge Solutions is a partner of Victoria, BC, based maritime software specialist Helm Operations, a Class NK subsidiary, and installed the HelmCONNECT solution on its vessels.

“Before HelmCONNECT, we used a paper-based system for all of our required forms and reports on the boats, HelmCONNECT allowed us to increase efficiency across the business, streamlining functions like compliance, inventory management and preventive maintenance,” said Patrick Boles, Ivy Marine’s CFO. “An added benefit that was crucial to our success was the user-friendly interface that has made it easy for our crews to adapt to a paperless system. Tug & Barge Solutions built and implemented our HelmCONNECT package so we were able to switch over without any hassles.

Marine Compliance, LLC was selected by Ivy Marine as its Subchapter M Third Party Organization (TPO) based on its excellent reputation, extensive experience with the towing industry and great price for Sub M services.

“We were very impressed with their audit” said Pat Folan, Tug & Barge Solutions Vice President.. “The auditors were knowledgeable, experienced and had an easy to work with attitude.”

Sector Mobile USCG also attended the TSMS audit, which Mr. Folan says was “very detailed,” adding that “HelmCONNECT allowed us to keep the flow of the audit moving by giving us instant access to all required documents and records.”