ABS to Introduce Vetting Module

This week’s ABS Nautical Systems 2007 User conference in Charleston, SC brought to light many improvements in the newest release of the ABS NS 5 software. Perhaps the most innovative development of the four day conference, however, was the rollout for plans to introduce a vetting module in the third quarter of 2008. ABS Nautical systems LLC touts the new vetting module as one which will provide new functionality in terms of both quality and compliance for ABS NS 5 users.

According to ABS, the purpose of the new software is threefold:

• Improve owner's responses to Vetting Observations with respect to time and accuracy;
• Improve the current non-integrated vetting process within the company by better integration with NS 5; and
• Support proper data mining to better prepare for future vettings.

ABS says that the new software will be flexible enough to be able to load protocol for a number of different vetting processes, including the OCIMF SIRE standards and the CDI (chemical ship) standards. Users at the conference suggested that they might want to incorporate other quality and compliance requirements into the system, including but not limited to (a.) USCG TVE and/or annual inspection results and (b.) ISM audit findings. ABS says that the collation of data will ultimately help shipping companies better manage the sometimes onerous vetting process and then more adequately prepare for future audits.

A prime mover of the development of the vetting module has been the Overseas Shipping Group (OSG). Through and with the shipping giant, ABS has developed a process whereby root cause analysis of any specific problem can be tracked more effectively. The vetting module, which can be customized by the user, also incorporates a search function which can access data by such categories as:

• Name of Individual Vetting Inspector;
• Class of Vessel;
• Age of Vessel; and
• Flag state.

In general terms, ABS hopes to better assist its users and clients by better organizing the vetting data, coordinating a quicker and more effective response to perceived deficiencies and finally, better preparing the company, vessel and crew for future vettings. The module also will create a “library of previous responses to vetting observations.” The concept was well received by conference attendees who listened to presentations from ABS personnel and then participated in working round table discussions on the new module. According to ABS personnel, the vetting module is in the final stages of development and will be ready in the latter part of next year.