Pacific Marine Group are based in South Townsville, Queensland, Australia and are leaders in marine contracting and commercial diving, with fleet of 26 vessels in all. These vessels include tugs of varying sizes, barges of varying sizes, and also cargo barges with cranes.
Sam Hall, Marine Operations Manager commented, “We were running a heavy paper-based Safety Management System through an outdated ‘Dropbox’ system across our fleet that was not an interactive system between the vessels, crew, and the shore-based management team. We were failing in DOC and SMS Audits due to the poor paper trail and our vessel certificate tracking. We wanted to have all our vessel related documentation in one location
Our Operations Manager came across Sea-Flux through following TK Offshore on social media. He then requested a demo online and within 10 mins Vaughan had called him. Three days later we were having a face-to-face meeting. After researching other models and programs, Pacific Marine Group made the decision to use Sea-Flux.
Sam Hall, Marine Operations Manager commented further, “It is supported by administrators who are available for us to contact and who assist us when available. We are not left being passed from person to person in a call centre. The service we receive is of a personal nature.”
“The program itself is easy to use and our crew are responding well to the change. Sea-Flux has allowed us to keep our Fleet SMS and forms and ensure each vessel can have specific checks and maintenance tasks specific for the individual vessel. As the individual crew signs in, it maintains accountability to tasks, checks, and forms and keeps a closed loop within the SMS.”
“Pacific Marine Group have found the implementation of Sea-Flux across the fleet to be easy. Sea-Flux staff have been very helpful in assisting when needed. Initially there were some concerns with senior staff migrating over from a paper-based system to a digital system, however, they have picked it up no problems at all. The feedback received from our senior masters is very positive. They have commented on how time saving it is for them onboard and how everything is at the touch of their fingers.”
“Sea-Flux is a one stop shop for our department. It services our senior marine operations staff, senior marine maintenance staff and our crew members. Every person is working off the same platform.”
When asked about the support received Sam was very complementary saying, “The team at Sea-Flux are very accommodating to all our questions and requests. The support we have received thus far is outstanding and we cannot thank them enough. All staff and crew are taking to the system with ease.”
For Pacific Marine Group it’s turned out that Sea-Flux is a gateway checker for all items. It has greatly reduced the time staff are spending to find information regarding crew and vessels. It has literally become out one stop shop. It has assisted us regarding all compliance items.
In closing Sam says, “Thanks to Sea-Flux our annual ISM DOC Audit was completed very quickly. Due to the ease of the program we were able to demonstrate the traffic light system to the surveyor – they were very impressed. This program also gives a ‘birds eye view’ over our entire fleet, this greatly minimises our risk of exposure.
We see it as a “one stop shop” for compliance, maintenance & personnel tracking.”
Sam Hall
Marine Operations Manager of Pacific Marine Group, Townsville, Australia
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