TVIB News Tava Foret

AWO: RCP Revisions Effective 01/01/2021

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On 01/26/2021, the American Waterways Operations (AWO) published the revised Responsible Carrier Program (RCP) that incorporates the RCP Standards Board recommendations and board approved changes designed to make it easier for their members to meet the membership requirement to maintain third party audited compliance with a safety management system (SMS). Following are a few of the key areas of change:

  • Members may use any SMS that meets the minimum requirements of 46 CFR Part 138 to meet AWO’s SMS membership requirement and secure certification as a Responsible Carrier.
  • Companies using the TSMS option for Subchapter M compliance can simply supply AWO with a copy of their TSMS Certificate to demonstrate compliance.
  • Companies using the RCP as their SMS will benefit from the removal of unduly constraining RCP deadlines for provisional audits and the revision of internal audit and corrective action plan due dates.

The staff will be reviewing the changes and working with our leadership in the coming days to determine what, if any, impacts there are to TVIB processes for our TPO TSMS option customers currently using the RCP for compliance with 46 CFR Subchapter M as well as for those customers that have elected the USCG option and are AWO members that must maintain compliance with the RCP to meet AWO membership requirements.

Click the following hyperlinks to download the revised RCP standard with the changes that became effective 01/01/2021, along with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) published by the AWO.

Additional information about the RCP may be found on the AWO RCP webpage.

TRAINING UPDATE: 2021 Training Calendar Finalized

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We have finalized the training calendar through June 2021.  Due to the continued issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to offer our courses in a virtual format through the first half of the year.  As we move into the second quarter, we will assess the situation and finalize the delivery method (classroom or virtual) and dates for the second half of 2021. Each of the course headings will link you directly to the course description and registration links.  Virtual courses are limited in size and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Drydock/Internal Structural Examination Certification Course (DD/ISE)

  • February 9-11; virtual
  • May 4-6; virtual
  • August – TBD; classroom or virtual
  • November – TBD; classroom or virtual

Annual Survey of Towing Vessels (ASTV)

  • March 9-11; virtual
  • September – TBD; classroom or virtual

Subchapter M Auditor Certification Course

  • April 13-14; virtual
  • October – TBD; classroom or virtual

Marine Internal Lead Auditor (MILA) – taught by ACTSafe Training

  • TENTATIVE – April; virtual
  • TENTATIVE – October; classroom or virtual

Stayed tuned for exciting news on three new course offerings this year:

  • TSMS Writing for DD/ISE
  • Subchapter M 101 for Management
  • Corrective Action Plans/Process

TVIB Staff News

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We would like to welcome Jeremy Dyer to the TVIB team. Jeremy will be working alongside Caleb King, focusing on the coordination of audits and surveys while working to support our TPO customers with CG-835V/Marine Casualty concerns and related TPO activities. In his role as Operations Manager, he will be the primary staff resource for our TPO customer base on the lower Mississippi River, gulf coast, and east coast.

Jeremy has over 21 years of marine-related experience through his work in the industry and the US Coast Guard. He previously worked as a Subchapter M lead auditor and consultant with Halter Consulting, Inc.  Prior to that, he was the Director of Compliance for the River Division of Marquette Transportation Company, LLC.  There, his responsibilities included Subchapter M implementation; development, implementation, and maintenance of an ISM compliant safety management system as well as other safety, health, environmental, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

Jeremy’s time as a member of the US Coast Guard (6 years Active Duty; 15 years Reserve Duty) has been spent in the Marine Safety and Law Enforcement/Security fields. His job specialty in the Coast Guard Reserves is Maritime Enforcement Specialist to which he has achieved the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E8). His assignments have included MSU Paducah, CG Station Marquette, MSU Port Arthur, and Sector Mobile.  He is currently serving once again at MSU Paducah.

Jeremy is certified by Quality Management International, Inc. as an ISO-9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor and holds a certification as TVIB Lead Auditor for Vessels and Management and is completing the requirements for certification as a Subchapter M Annual Surveyor. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science – Public Administration from Troy University.

Jeremy resides in Katy, TX. And will be working from our main office located in the Houston suburb of Channelview. Jeremy’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, and kayaking.  Please be sure to welcome him when you get a chance, you will find his contact info on the website under Our Staff.