Antigua and Barbuda maritime administrations gains ISO 9001 certification

The maritime administration of Antigua and Barbuda has been certified according to ISO 9001 by GL Systems Certification. On behalf of Germanischer Lloyd, Vice President GL North and Central America Stephen Gumpel handed over the certificate to the Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS), in the presence of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and three members of Cabinet in addition to members of the ADOMS team.

The maritime administration currently has 1,368 ships under its international register of ships of which approximately 90% are managed or owned by German interests.

Mr. Dwight C.R. Gardiner, Director and Registrar General of ADOMS with its principal office in St. John’s, Antigua and two branch offices in Germany (Oldenburg and Bremerhaven), said: “We had a very comprehensive audit in all our offices, checking not only our processes but insight knowledge of existing maritime rules and regulations. In addition to the confirmation of conformance, the auditor also helped through discussions on improving many processes even further. And what’s more, this has been very good preparation for the Voluntary IMO (International Maritime Organization) Member State Audit Scheme.”

“A certified quality management system according ISO 9001 documents reliable operations as well as compliance with clearly documented quality standards. It has also been proven that ADOMS is able to react to changes and amendments to mandatory IMO instruments,” said Stephen Gumpel.

The auditor confirmed in his report that ADOMS has shown a very positive commitment to its staffs’ concerns and that all staff members are well familiar with the quality management system. Furthermore, the Department has among other things improved customer information by posting Information Letters on its website, creating a matrix of reporting requirements and has launched an internal information system it calls Organisational Advice Notes (OAN`s).

ADOMS carries out the following services which have been audited thoroughly by Auditor Hans-Ulrich Schulze (former Head of GL Academy):

• Registration of Ships & Yachts
• Issuance of Endorsements in accordance with STCW 1978/95, Dispensations and Seafarer’s Books
• Inspection & Investigation
• Maritime Affairs and Port State Control.

May 4, 2011