Streamlining Operations & Ensuring Compliance

The Core of Compliance: Your Safety Management System (SMS)

What is an SMS and Why is it Mandatory?

Under Australian National Law, every MSAR unit must implement and maintain a compliant Safety Management System. An SMS is not just a document; it's a formal, live framework that ensures the safe operation of your vessels. It covers everything from standard operating procedures and risk assessments to crew training, vessel maintenance schedules, and emergency drills.

Key Features of a Compliant Digital SMS

• Vessel-Unique & Risk-Based: Tailored specifically to your unit's vessels and operational area.
• Cloud-Based & Accessible: All crew can access the most current procedures and information in real-time.
• Comprehensive yet Simple: Easy for volunteers to use while meeting all legal requirements.
• Fully Compliant: Built to satisfy all relevant maritime legislation.

Eliminating Paperwork: Digital Logs & Reporting with OffshoreSMS

The Essential Tool for Every Volunteer

The foundation of a good SMS is accurate record-keeping. To move away from paper-based systems, we recommend **OffshoreSMS** as the primary platform for all volunteers. Their app provides a free, unlimited, and permanent digital ship's log for your personal use, making it easy to record your trips, training hours, and rescue participation.

Getting Started is Easy

1. Download the OffshoreSMS App and create your free user profile (2 minutes).
2. Add your primary vessel to your profile.
3. Start logging your activities immediately. The ship's log feature is free forever.

For Unit Leadership: Fleet & Asset Management

Real-Time Unit Management from a Single Dashboard

For Commanders, Skippers, and unit administrators, OffshoreSMS offers powerful (paid) tools to manage the entire unit's operations from a single web dashboard. This provides a live overview of all vessel activity, crew competency, and asset status.

Key Management Features

• Live Activity Feed: See all logs and completed tasks across all your unit's vessels in real-time.
• Schedule Drills & Maintenance: Proactively schedule and assign tasks like inspections, drills, and equipment servicing.
• PDF Reporting: Instantly generate professional PDF reports for all vessel activity, perfect for audits and meetings.
• Equipment & Defect Logs: Maintain a complete register of all equipment and manage defect reports from submission to resolution.
• Assign Vessel Masters: Formally assign skippers to vessels for specific trips or time periods.

Maintaining Competency: Training Records & Inductions

Connecting Training to Operations

Your SMS requires you to maintain evidence that all crew are competent for their duties. While the Training Page outlines *what* competencies are required, this platform is *how* you record and prove them. A digital system ensures records are accurate, secure, and accessible for 5 years as required.

Digital Record-Keeping Features

• Crew Qualifications: Manage digital copies of all member certificates and qualifications.
• Drills & Training Logs: Log attendance at all training sessions and emergency drills.
• Digital Inductions: Onboard new members or guests with digital induction checklists that can be signed on a phone or tablet.
• Team Messaging: Communicate important operational updates to all crew with read receipts for confirmation.