SafeShips Consulting
International Inc.

SAFESHIPS CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL INC. (SSC) is proficient with onboard operative and administrative experience as well as land-based operations for shipping companies.

SSC is constituted by the thorough competency of our consultants in maritime operations with practical experience of:

• Passenger Motor & Sailing Vessels
• Mega Yachts
• Passenger/Ro-Ro Vessels
• Oil Tankers
• High Speed Hydrofoils & Catamarans
• Bulk Carriers
• Dry Cargo Vessels
• Car Carriers

Captain Aksel Huus founded the company in 1996 to fill the growing need for a quality oriented company specializing in maritime consulting services.

SAFESHIPS CONSULTING INTERNATIONAL INC. (SSC) offers:

• Developing & Implementing Safety Management Systems
• Internal Auditing
• Preparation of ISO Quality Systems
• Produce Training Manuals for SCTW 95 and SOLAS
• Developing & Implementing Security Plans
• Developing SOPEP Manuals and NT-VRP Manuals
• Surveying of New & Active Ports
• On Hire / Off Hire Survey
• Bahamas Maritime Authority – Approved Nautical Inspector
• Panama Maritime Authority – Approved Nautical Inspector
• Survival Craft Assessment and Certification on behalf of the above Flag States
• Translation Norwegian / Spanish / English
• Accident investigation

The Mission of SafeShips Consulting International is to give quality service to our clients by working together to protect the safety, security, health and environment of all and to avoid damage to property.

Capt. Aksel Huus is the president, owner and founder of SafeShips Consulting International, Inc. (SSC). In this role, Capt. Huus, takes the leadership and oversees the management and the day-to-day operation of the company.

He began his maritime career at a very young age, thereby, accumulating extensive practice and a vast knowledge of the industry. Capt. Huus has to date over 20 years of unparalleled experience in the field of maritime management.

Capt. Aksel Huus’ solid background and the desire to commit his vast scope of expertise to offering quality business and excellence of services to the shipping industry, prompted him to found his own company SafeShips Consulting International, Inc. (SSC).

As an independent maritime management consultant, auditor, advisor and maritime inspector he has set his company “SafeShips Consulting” (SSC) in a strategic direction towards new standards of excellence - instrumental to meet the highly demanding needs and requirements that face the Cargo, Cruise ship and Yacht management sector.

At present, Capt. Huus also serves in the capacity of Safety & Security Advisor for the commercial and luxury private mega yacht industry, successfully taking a hand in assisting to identify their requisites and to achieve their objectives and goals.

He is a graduate of the Bergen Maritime Academy in the city of Bergen, Norway and holds an “Unlimited Master’s License” Degree from the academy.

Prior to launching SafeShips Consulting International, Inc., Capt. Huus, spent some years as deck crew and officer onboard various dry cargo ships, bulk carriers, tankers and hydrofoils in the international trade. Thereafter, he moved on to the cruise industry where he performed in the capacity of Chief Officer, Staff Captain and Captain within the circle of leading cruise line companies in the industry before transferring shore side as Maritime Director and Designated Person to take responsibility for the implementation of the ISM-Code and of the training in accordance with the STCW-95.

SSC specializes in maritime safety & security consulting to fill the growing desirability of quality support in this field. SSC also provides implementation and guidance in matters involving the Safety Management System, future marine safety, environmental protection and continual improvement affecting cargo, cruise ships and / or yachts operations.

Capt. Aksel Huus is of Norwegian nationality and resides in South Florida in the United States of America.

Every management control system has to be followed up by the management in order to verify that the system gives the calculated effect laid down in the company’s own safety and quality goals. SSC assist the company in carrying out this internal process both on land and on board. The use of sub suppliers is another important factor in a management control system. Many ship owners choose to appoint tasks such as crew management, purchasing and chartering suppliers. This does not exempt the ship owner from the responsibility and control of the services rendered by the sub suppliers. Should the ship owner use, for example, a crewing agent; the ship owner is still responsible for controlling that the crew onboard has the required training and licenses. On behalf of the ship owner, SSC can undertake audits of the sub suppliers’ management control system and working procedures to ensure that the sub suppliers are able to provide the services in accordance with the ship owner’s requirements. This includes audit of equipment vendors, training centers etc.

SSC is proud to present the following list of references:

ISM Code

JULY 1, 2002

The ISM Code: IMO Res. A 741(18). SOLAS Chapter IX

All vessels of 500 gross tonnages or more should have implemented The ISM Code onboard.

Maritime traffic has recently become hyper-regulated. Drawing from lessons of past accidents and incidents, national and international legislations have adopted strict regulations. Ship owners and operators have been warned that vessels without valid certification are at risk of losing their licenses.

ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, SOLAS and SCTW have established a host of technical and economic requirements for the construction and operation of vessels. It has been mandated that ALL commercial vessels 500 tons and greater are required to establish and implement Safety Management Systems, which means closely documenting all operations while adhering to a systematic follow up approach. Because of these new regulatory standards, responsibilities and workload has increased for shipping companies. It is now necessary for both onboard and land-based administration to monitor and document any accidents and non-conformities incidents that may arise.

“Plan What You Do, Do What You Plan and Record It”

The need for assistance in developing & implementing the Safety Management System varies among shipping companies. Some have the required competency within their own ranks, but others have to seek external assistance.

SSC can help with:

• Developing and Implementing SMS
• Internal audit

ISPS Code

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

"Increasing awareness for your security and safety"

What is it?

The International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code was adopted by IMO in December 2002, and included Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). The ISPS code is a comprehensive mandatory security regime for international shipping and port operations.

The ISPS Code has far-reaching implication for the security and safety of your vessels, cargo, passengers and crew and will come into force on July 1, 2004. Compliance for ships is confirmed by the issuing of an International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC).

Who has to comply?

The ISPS Code applies to the following ships and port facilities engaged in international trade:

• Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger crafts
• Cargo ships including high-speed craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, and
• Mobile offshore drilling units, and
• Port facilities serving ships engaged in international trade

The Four Steps to Compliance:

• 1. Security Assessment and Ship Security Plan for each ship
• 2. Implement the Ship Security Plan for each ship
• 3. Audit and Certify
• 4. Review and Improve

How can SSC be of help?

• Assess ship and port facilities to satisfy the ISPS Code
• Follow up on assessment and complete the Ship and Port Facility Security Plan
• Internal Audit
• Introduction to the ISPS for Office and Vessels

Your company will benefit from having a team member who will possess the insight to lead your fleet towards better security management.

STCW-95 Convention

On February 1st 1997 the amended STCW-78 Convention entered into force. The amended convention, known as the STCW-95 Convention, included transitional provisions for five years and should be fully adopted on February 2002.

The Convention sets down stern requirements for education and training of seafarers. The emphasized requirements do not only refer to schools, and other educational institutions, but also to the training performed onboard.

In order to comply with the STCW Convention, Companies will have to ensure the competence of the seafarers they employ. This must be done either by employing qualified personnel or by training already employed personnel. In any case, training must be carried out onboard to some extent.

Generally one may distinguish between operative training, safety training and education/training directed towards certification.

Education/training directed towards certification shall be followed up on board and on land by shipping company’s own dedicated person in charge and responsible for that area.

SSC can assist the shipping company in the preparation of training programs, such as:

• Basic Safety Training Manuals STCW-95
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat Training Manuals
• Produce SOLAS Ship-Specific Training and Safety Manuals
• Assess and Certify Lifeboat Commanders for Bahamas and Panamanian flagged vessels

Bahamas Maritime Authority

“APPOINTED NAUTICAL INSPECTOR FOR THE BAHAMAS MARITIME AUTHORITY”

Received the titles of BMA Approved Nautical Inspector and Assessor of Proficiency in Basic Maritime Training. Both appointments were made by the Authority.

The Role of a Bahamas Inspector :

• I. To conduct pre-registration inspections on candidate vessels of 12 years or older.
• II. To conduct initial inspections on vessels of under 12 years of age.
• III. To conduct annual inspections on all vessels.
• IV. To attend and render general assistance on vessels detained by PSC.
• V. To conduct other tasks as required by the BMA in connection with:
• a. vessel registration
• b. carving & marking
• c. endorsement of certificates
• d. verifying the existence of an Inspection Certificate etc.
• VI. To conduct accident investigations.

Powers of an Inspector

An Inspector is entitled to board any vessel at any reasonable time provided he can produce proper identification. Normally an Inspector should only board a vessel when he has been requested to do so either by the owner to carry out a specific inspection, or by the BMA. When given specific written instructions by the BMA, an Inspector shall remove from a ship the Registration Certificate or any other Statutory Certificate.

Panama Maritime Authority

“APPOINTED NAUTICAL INSPECTOR FOR THE PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY”

Approved and appointed as a PMA Maritime Safety Inspector by the Authority.

Purpose of Inspections

Annual Safety Inspections are conducted to ensure that each vessel:

• I. Has on board all required valid certificates
• II. Is properly manned and equipped for her intended trade
• III. Has a crew with proper credentials and versed in the correct procedures during fire and boat drills
• IV. Complies with minimum national standards and/or with all IMO conventions which Panama is signatory of reflects acceptable conditions of safety in regards to all spaces and gear

Annual Safety Inspections are not intended to replace surveys for the issuance of technical statutory certificates. Such activities will continue to be performed by duly recognized organizations.

Vessels shall be inspected once in a calendar year unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Authorizations of Inspections

When vessels of Panamanian registry have been determined to be in port or are expected in port within the next seven (7) calendar days, the Inspector responsible for the port should contact MSND asking for authorization to inspect the vessel(s). The request shall be phoned, faxed or e-mailed to MSND with the vessel(s)’s name and call letters. Authorizations will not be granted to requests of inspection with more than seven (7) days before the vessel's ETA (estimated time of arrival).

All vessels not exempted from compliance by Executive Decree No.56 are subject to initial inspection at anytime and thereafter within three months before or after the anniversary date of the initial inspection.

Tel: 305-651-0049
Mobile: 305-632-7674
Fax: 305-651-7130
E-Mail: ahuus@safeships.com

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