TVIB News

Sub M Training Opportunities – REGISTRATION OPEN

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We have two significant Subchapter M training opportunities coming up.  We are offering the Marine Internal Lead Auditor course in Houston at San Jacinto Maritime College at the end of January. In mid-February we are launching the 5-day Surveyor of Inspected Towing Vessels course in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

These courses are an integral piece for any organization preparing for Subchapter M compliance. Registration is open now for both courses, read below for a brief course description and links to registration.

Marine Internal Lead Auditor Course
January 31 – February 1 (2-day) in Houston, TX

Designed to teach and practice the specific skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to conduct and lead internal audits for commercial marine companies. The course is for Internal auditors, External auditors wishing to learn more about auditing principles and techniques, Marine executives, HSE managers, operations managers, safety consultants and regulators

Recognized as “Substantially equal to an ISO 9001 auditor course by the U.S. Coast Guard and is acceptable under Subchapter M requirements for internal auditor training, 46 CFR 138.310(d)(2). Meets the requirements of ANSI/ASSE Z 490.1-2016 Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, health and environmental training

Click Here for More Information and Registration

Surveyor of Inspected Towing Vessels
February 13-17 (5-Day) in Jacksonville Beach, FL

Designed to provide surveyors with the knowledge and skills required to perform TVIB TPO Subchapter M inspections and surveys of towing vessels. Great for internal surveyors that want training to be in compliance with the training requirements for Internal Surveyors as specified in section 46 CFR 137.315 Internal Survey Programs, and are looking to become proficient at conducting Subchapter M compliant internal surveys under the oversight of a Third-Party Organization “TPO”.

This course is also for those accredited surveyors that do not currently hold the “Hull and Machinery” NAMS endorsement or SAMS “Workboat” credential, who wish to become a TVIB Certified Surveyor of Inspected Towing Vessels, or desire refresher training prior to taking the TVIB exam for TVIB Certified Surveyors of Inspected Vessels, which is required for all TVIB Certified Surveyors.

Click Here for More Information and Registration

TVIB Approved by U.S. Coast Guard as a Third-Party Organization (TPO)

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The U.S. Coast Guard Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise (TVNCOE) has approved the Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) as a Third-Party Organization (TPO) in accordance with 46 CFR Part 139.

As a TPO, TVIB is approved to perform the following functions for towing vessel operators: (1) Conduct audits of a Towing Safety Management System (TSMS), and the vessels to which the TSMS applies, to verify compliance with the applicable sections of 46 CFR Subchapter M; (2) Issue TSMS certificates to an owner or managing operator who is in compliance with 46 CFR Part 138; (3) Conduct surveys of towing vessels to verify compliance with Subchapter M; and (4) Issue survey reports detailing the results of surveys, carried out in compliance with 46 CFR Part 137.

TVIB has a well-known process in place for providing AWO RCP audits that will be modified to meet the additional requirements under Subchapter M. Since 2014, TVIB auditors have conducted more than 250 towing safety management system audits and 500 audits of towing vessels operating under those safety management systems to verify compliance with AWO’s RCP. TVIB will be working with client companies to provide a smooth transition from the RCP audit environment to Subchapter M compliance, including options for implementing the external or internal survey program.

TVIB is excited about the opportunity to help even more towing vessel operators of all sizes chart their own course to regulatory compliance through its new role as a TPO. The U.S. Coast Guard’s approval reinforces TVIB’s position as the recognized professional trade organization of marine auditors and surveyors possessing solid industry knowledge and extensive experience. TVIB has trained more than 100 auditors and surveyors who are spread across the country and have practical operational knowledge about all segments of the towing industry.

TVIB is prepared to continue its objective to provide consistent, objective and independent audits and surveys for the industry as the “TPO You Know and Trust.”

About TVIB: Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau was founded in 2010 as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional trade organization of marine auditors and surveyors. We have a broad network of operators throughout the U.S. TVIB educates, develops audit and survey tools and certifies marine auditors and surveyors to perform audits and surveys for Subchapter M and the American Waterways Operators’ Responsible Carrier Program (RCP). TVIB is an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Organization. This standard indicates the efficacy of our quality management system and its impact on the organization’s ability to meet both member needs and regulatory requirements while enhancing our position in the marketplace. Our members provide marine audit and survey services to inland, coastal and ocean-going towing operators across the country. Visit www.thetvib.org for more information.

For Further Information Contact:

Chris Parsonage, Executive Director
636.778.9772
chrisp@thetvib.org

Tava S. Foret, Director of Audit and Survey Services
832.323.3992
tavaf@thetvib.org

TVIB Acquires Marine Auditing Firm

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St. Louis, MO, January 5, 2017 – Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) is excited to announce its acquisition of Quality Auditing, LC, effective December 31, 2016. This purchase strengthens TVIB’s three-fold mission of providing world-class training and continuing education for marine auditors and surveyors, developing comprehensive audit and survey tools, and becoming a U.S. Coast Guard Third-Party Organization (TPO) under 46 CFR Subchapter M.

Founded in 2009, Quality Auditing, LC has been a leading full-service marine auditing firm specializing in providing third-party vendor audits and AWO Responsible Carrier Program audits utilizing a network of auditors located throughout the inland waterways. This acquisition enables TVIB to expand its regulatory compliance service offerings for the industry as it prepares to conduct audits and surveys as a TPO.

 

“Quality Auditing brings best in class offerings for auditing solutions, ensuring consistency and integrity in audit performance. Their professional staff and strong industry partnerships will provide significant value for our clients,” said Chris Parsonage, TVIB’s Executive Director.

Tava Foret is transitioning from her role as Quality Auditing’s President into the newly created position of TVIB’s Director of Audit and Survey Services. Ms. Foret has extensive experience in advising and training both employers and auditors in regulatory compliance issues and is enthusiastic about the acquisition.

“Quality Auditing built its reputation on performing audits consistently from one organization to the next, delivering a quality product to our customers year after year. Combining our audit services with TVIB’s training and accrediting services immediately enhances TVIB’s presence in the marketplace” said Ms. Foret.

Upon approval by the U.S. Coast Guard, TVIB will begin conducting audits of towing safety management systems (TSMS) and the vessels to which that TSMS applies, to verify compliance with Subchapter M and to issue TSMS certificates. TVIB will also conduct Subchapter M vessel surveys as its member ranks of marine surveyors continues to grow.

About TVIB: Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau was founded in 2010 as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional trade organization of marine auditors and surveyors. TVIB educates, develops audit and survey tools and certifies marine auditors and surveyors to perform consistent, objective and independent audits and surveys of marine operators. Our members provide marine audit and survey services to inland, coastal and ocean-going towing operators across the country.

TVIB’s headquarters will be in Houston, TX with satellite offices in Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, and Destin, FL.

For Further Information Contact:

Chris Parsonage, Executive Director
636.778.9772
chrisp@thetvib.org

Tava S. Foret, Director of Audit and Survey Services
832.323.3992
tavaf@thetvib.org