Liverpool Pilotage Services Limited (LPSL) received accreditation by Lloyds Register, Quality Assurance Division (LRQA), for its commitment to providing shipping in the Port of Liverpool with a pilotage service that is quantifiable with respect to the safety management of its operations and its commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
LPSL has formally adopted the International Standards for Pilotage Organisations (ISPO Code). The ISPO Code, was formulated by the European Maritime Pilots Association, (EMPA) through a working party provided by the Dutch Pilots. The code provides performance criteria by which the operational procedures of LPSL where measured against, by LRQA.
The ISPO Code can be compared to the IMO International Safety Management Code, adopted by the maritime industry aboard sea going vessels and the UK Port Marine Safety Code, voluntarily adopted, by ports in the United Kingdom. It was therefore an obvious choice for an independent Pilotage Service Provider, to embrace systems that compliment both its prime customer, the ship owner and its principle contractor, the Competent Harbour Authority.
LPSL was required to demonstrate that its policies, together with its aims and objectives and operational procedures, showed a robust and transparent system. The Safety Management Manual (SMM) covers all aspects of the Pilotage provision supplied by LPSL; from planning the safe navigation of vessels in and out of the port, to, boarding and landing and risk assessments protecting the Pilot Members, to customer expectation.
The work of LPSL does not stop at initial accreditation. LPSL will be required to conduct ongoing audits and management review and will be subject to annual assessment by LRQA in order to maintain the Certificate of Compliance.
There is a growing trend for Pilotage Service Providers to adopt the ISPO Code as they begin to see the benefits of Safety Management Systems, which simply document ‘what you say you do’ and can be tested against an evidence based performance criteria.
Chairman, Captain Iolo Thomas of LPSL says; ‘it is a proud moment for LPSL and is the culmination of many months of hard work and commitment, that will enhance an already commendable operation in the Port of Liverpool and one which ships, their masters and owners will benefit from’
