Maritime Directory

Simms, Long Island / Salt Pond, Long Island, Bahamas

Nassau, N.P., Bahamas

New York, NY, United States

Bahamas

Bahamas

Nassau,, New Providence, Bahamas

Dolphin Marine International was formed to meet the needs of the Oil & Gas Industry for underwater engineering services.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island,, Bahamas

Freeport Container Port (FCP) commenced operations in 1997. It is located on Grand Bahama Island – one of the largest islands comprising the Commonwealth of the Bahamas – about 100 miles from the port of Miami, Florida. It is currently the deepest container terminal in the region and serves as a major container transshipment hub for the eastern seaboard of the US and the principal east/west line-haul routes through the region.

Denmark

Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, China

Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), the world's largest independent port operator and a subsidiary of the diversified Hutchison Whampoa Limited, has invested in 17 ports worldwide.

United States

Reston, Virginia, United States

Maritime & Corporate Administrators of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Reston, Virginia, United States

Maritime & Corporate Administrators of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Panama City, Republic of Panamá, Panama

Patton, Moreno & Asvat is a Panamanian law firm established in 1981 with Head Office based in Panama. In addition, the firm has branch offices in London, British Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Uruguay, Belize and Anguilla, as well as representatives offices worldwide.

Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

One of the leading worldwide maritime service companies, active in harbour towage, terminals, salvage, transport and heavy lift. www.smit.com

Miami,, Florida, United States

Seaboard Marine is an ocean transportation company that provides direct, regular service between the United States and the Caribbean Basin, Central and South America.

Nassau, Bahamas

London, United States

London, United Kingdom

Formation IFSMA was formed in 1974 by Eight European Shipmasters' Associations to unite the World's serving Shipmasters into a single professional co-ordinated body. It is not a trade union. It is a non-profit making, apolitical organisation dedicated solely to the interest of the serving shipmaster. Over 8000 Shipmasters from more than 40 Countries are affiliated to IFSMA either through their National Associations (36) or as Individual Members (55). Purpose IFSMA is a Federation established to uphold International Standards of Professional Competence for Seafarers commensurate with the need to ensure Safe Operational Practices, Preservation from Human Injury, Protection of the Marine Environment and Safety of Life and Property at Sea. IMO Status IFSMA was Granted Consultative Status at IMO in 1975. This Consultative Status enables the Federation to represent the views and protect the interests of the serving Shipmasters unfettered and unfiltered either by National Governments or by Labour Organizations. To enable IFSMA to function effectively at IMO, it is represented in the Four Main Committees (MSC-MEPC-LEG-FAL) by the General Secretary and a team of former Shipmasters who also attend the Nine Sub-Committees (BLG - COMSAR - DE - DSC - FP - FSI - NAV - SLF - STW). When needed serving Shipmasters provide additional expertise in the various Working and Drafting Groups. IMO Involvement Top of Page IFSMA provided a Consultant to assist in the Comprehensive Review and Revision of the 1978 STCW Convention, and actively participated in the Joint ICAO/IMO Group of Experts on the Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue. IFSMA also sat on the Steering Committee on Ro-Ro Ferry Safety which supervised the work of the Panel of Experts and made recommendations to MSC 65. This was without cost to IMO and was, for some two years an additional commitment to our normal work of representing Shipmasters' views on this International Platform. IMO Missions Top of Page IFSMA has now provided TWO MARITIME SPECIALISTS, each forming part of an IMO NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAMMING TEAM within the framework of IMO's Integrated Technical Co-Operation Programme (ITCP). The first Mission was to Bulgaria (Black Sea) in December 1995 and the second Mission was to Ukraine and Georgia (CIS/Eastern Europe) in January/February 1996. IMO Studies Top of Page IFSMA prepared papers on the safety of double-hull tankers for both IMO and the USCG when discussions on this subject were at their peak in 1991. It submitted with IMPA a Joint Paper on Bridge Information Display to NAV38 and, with the Government of the Bahamas, it amended Towing Guidelines which had been proposed earlier in 1992 by Germany. In 1993 IFSMA devised a Bulk Carrier Ship-Shore Checklist for MSC62 and submitted a BESMA Paper on Quality Management in Seafarers' Training to STW25. IMO Papers Top of Page In 1994 IFSMA submitted 12 separate Papers on various aspects of Loading and Unloading Bulk Cargoes for the attention of BC33. These produced four MSC Circulars. At the end of 1995 IFSMA, Co-Sponsored by ICS and ICFTU, submitted a paper on Black Sea Search and Rescue to COMSAR 1 while a second paper on amendments to the IMOSAR and MERSAR Manuals was submitted jointly by ICS and IFSMA. A comprehensive ACOMM Technical Paper on Modifications to the Freeboard and Stability Rules of medium sized ships will be submitted to IMO in the Spring of 1996 for discussion at SLF 40 in September this year. IMO and IFSMA Objectives Top of Page IFSMA is a strong supporter of IMO in its quest for safer shipping and cleaner oceans. It is the desire of The Federation to assist IMO in achieving a truly global implementation and rigorous enforcement of its International Treaties so that there is no need for any Country to resort to Regulatory Measures on either a National or a Regional basis. IFSMA has much approved of the Secretary-General's initiative to speed up Entry into Force and Amendment procedures, and continues to fully support his initiatives for a thorough and comprehensive review of Bulk Carrier Safety and Ro-Ro Ferry Safety in all their aspects. Policy Top of Page IFSMA has long held the firm belief that Shipowners and Ship Management Companies should hold a Safety Management Document of Compliance issued by the Flag State Administration before being permitted to operate ships, that increased scrapping of antiquated and sub-standard ships should be speeded up, and that world wide regional Port State Control is now top priority. In particular there should be a total ban, effective world wide, on the re-registration of ships for commercial trading once they have been sold for scrap and demolition. Shipmasters Defined Top of Page IFSMA defines Shipmasters as those who are in possession of an Internationally recognised Certificate of Competency, issued by the Government of an established Maritime Nation who are serving or have previously served, in Command of Seagoing Ships whether or not engaged upon International or Domestic Trade. Shipmaster's Status in IFSMA Top of Page Once a man has risen to the rank of Shipmaster he is forever entitled to belong to IFSMA and there is no requirement in our Statutes for the periodic revalidation of his Certificate of Competency (as there is in the STCW Convention). But if he were to lose his licence due to negligence, incompetence, or misconduct then he would no longer qualify for membership of the Federation. Other Organisations Top of Page Trade Unions, National Associations, Professional Institutes and Learned Societies are all equally welcome as Shipmasters Organizations in affiliation with IFSMA and there is no distinction made between them. 21st March 1996