Any tanker owner who hates the thought of figuring in the next oil spill or fire accident should check out Oceanfile. It’s a Web-based suite of applications for planning and managing all aspects of tanker vetting and inspection. After exploring Oceanfile, which is available via a subscription service, we don’t hesitate to recommend it to those looking for a way to enhance their tanker safety management using a structured and automatic appproach. We like it for two simple reasons.
UK-based Oceanfile Marine Ltd says Oceanfile was three years in the making. The amount of effort put into it is evident. The system is comprehensive, intelligently designed and user-friendly. It features a Vessel Manager, Inspections Summary, Approvals, Management (details of both ship and shore staff are entered with responsibility at all levels assigned for each vessel), Inspection Detail, Analytics and Planner. Future releases will introduce more features, including an Inspection Costs Manager and Audit tools. A clearly written user manual can be downloaded form the Oceanfile site.
Keeping tabs on tanker inspections made easy
Wizards included to create charts and filtre data
What does this mean for those who have been struggling for years to cope with SIRE (Ship Inspection Report Programme) and other inspection regimes? A way to collect and harness the enormous amount of data contained in inspection reports; identify shortcomings; assess risks; and improve overall safety management. Not less important, a way to reduce paper work.
The second reason we endorse OceanFile has to do with the developers. We had the pleasure of chatting with Oceanfile Marine manager David Savage in Manila in late 2012, after he and a Singaporean trainer had just finished conducting a tanker vetting course at a local training centre. Only a few marine professionals have commanded our instant respect because they know whereof they speak. Mr Savage had served for 15 years as SIRE training and development manager of OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum). He continues to be actively involved in the Apostleship of the Sea (UK), where he is a trustee.
Mr Savage cares not only about maritime safety but about seafarers. Who better to push a concept like Oceanfile? ~Barista Uno
