United States Marine Safety Association marks 20 years of service; the United States Marine...

Founded in 1983, the USMSA is dedicated to the development and implementation of the highest possible performance, manufacturing, maintenance, service and training standards, for all lifesaving, survival and emergency rescue equipment used or carried on board US vessels.

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Association members design, manufacture, sell or service commercial marine or recreational boating safety equipment or its components; provide training in the use of such equipment and systems; or are career professionals in commercial marine or recreational boating safety. According to BW "Tom" Thompson, Executive Director of USMSA, "Our members have helped saved countless lives by their production of first quality safety equipment as well as by advocacy of improved marine safety."

Two-day conference

At the annual conference the keynote speaker was the Honorable Mark V Rosenker, Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Rosenker, recently appointed Vice Chairman of NTSB, stressed his personal and professional dedication to making a difference while he is in office. He complimented USMSA on its 20 years of service to the maritime safety industry, emphasising the impact that it has had on protecting the lives and welfare of all who work or play in, on or near the water.

Rosenker added, "USMSA has been extremely effective in putting safety in the forefront in the community. The leadership of the USMSA in such areas as the mandatory use of EPIRBs, liferaft and life jacket safety issues, and photoluminescent lighting and signage for emergency exiting, stands as testimony to the strength and effectiveness of the association. The Safety Board is pleased to partner an organization that backs up its words with actions."

The conference, sponsored by USMSA and the industry council, The International Photoluminescent Safety Products Council (IPSPC), offered two full days of interaction, networking, education, informative speakers, energising open forums designed for questions, comments and pertinent information on industry concerns. Each session was eagerly anticipated and richly rewarding.

John Thommen, of Ocean Marketing, and Karen Hansen, from Viking Life Saving, provided valuable marketing and selling strategies for the sale of marine safety products to the industry. Panelists, representing class societies, flag states, government agencies, and manufacturers, discussed equipment approvals. Participants included Robert Vienneau of ABS, Michael Shulman of Underwriters Laboratories, Victor Pedro-Santos of Transport Canada, Jeff Lantz from the US Coast Guard (USCG), Kari Guddal of Imperial International, and John Simonsen of Datrex. The discussion ranged from the actual process of approvals by various agencies and class societies, to the testing revolved in the setting of standards and the much-awaited Mutual Recognition Agreement between the US and Europe.

Jeff Lantz and Kurt Heinz of the USCG's Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division, and Peg Murphy USCG Fishing Vessel Safety Coordinator, participated in an open forum addressing technical issues and concerns unique to the industry. In a presentation relevant to the entire industry, Kathryn Martuscello Huff, Vice President of American Marine Underwriters, explained the nuances of navigating the insurance maze, offering sound advice and insight into commercial marine insurance and liability.

For those attendees interested in defence contracts, Timothy Foreman of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses Union, shed light on how to do business with the Department of Defense.

The USMSA Liferaft committee met to discuss questions surrounding the one--and two-year inspection process as well as emerging standards from ISO and IMO.

Photoluminescence featured

In a separate session, IPSPC issues involving safety signage were covered in-depth for all members. Michael Shulman, Underwriters Laboratories, and Jeremy Downs, ITS/ETL, spoke on how products can be tested to the entry requirements of major markets, from ANSI, ASTM and UL standards to European Union directives. They discussed how product certifications and internationally recognised marks open doors to global commerce.

Robert Solomon, of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), spoke on the NFPA 5000 and NFPA Life Safety Code 101 for all interested safety signage participants of the IPSPC. John Creak of the Photoluminescent Safety Products Association (PSPA), a reciprocating organisation of USMSA/IPSPC from the UK, discussed issues and applications of photoluminescent products in the United States and Europe. Panelists discussed all aspects of SOLAS and ISO issues concerning signage and symbols and brought forth many important concerns and valuable information.

USMSA also announced its new directors-James O'Connor, of Life Raft and Survival Equipment, was installed as the new President of USMSA/IPSPC. O'Connor, with 20 years of leadership in the maritime safety community, pioneered the Safety At Sea Course for commercial fishermen in New England and later developed and taught the first Fishing Vessel Safety Course offered by the University of Rhode Island. He assisted with the first in-water Safety At Sea Seminar at the New York Yacht Club and has experience with USMSA as a director, officer and chairman of the USMSA Liferaft and Equipment Servicing Committee.