b'FOGHORN FOCUSThe BUILDING BLOCKS of SMS:Where Do I Start?Photo by Ciel Cheng on UnsplashBY RICHARD J. PAINE, JR., // HORNBLOWER GROUP/CITY EXPERIENCESO ver the years, we have all heard or spoken about a commitmentThis article will provide lessons learned on three necessary foundation to safety. During the last year and half, the entire worldpieces for an effective safety management system to take hold in demonstratedapledgetohealthandsafetyineffortstoan operation. The three key building blocks necessary for success contain the spread of COVID-19. Now, with the pandemic hopefullyinclude: leadership, commitment, and resources. The lack of any of behind us and business beginning to reopen, we can refocus ourthese building blocks will make your efforts fruitless and your system attention on operational safety. This is especially paramount due towill fail to thrive. the U.S. Coast Guards Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) released earlier this year regarding safety managementLEADERSHIPsystems (SMS) in the domestic passenger vessel industry.Leadership is the number one building block. Without leadership, theentiresystemwillbehandcuffed.Companyorganization Earlier this year, 25 members from the PVA Safety and Securitystructures will vary from operation to operation. Some operations CommitteeandtheRegulatoryCommitteeformedthelargestwillhavealargestaffandexecutivesatthehelmwhileother sub-committeeworkinggroupinPVAhistory.DaveAndersonoperations will find the owner filling the role of many different job (Fire Island Ferries) and I co-chaireddutiesnecessarytosupportthe theeffortsofthisgrouptoreviewbusiness.ASMSdoesnthold anddevelopthePVAmemberThe three key buildinggrudges, especially when we are responsetotheANPRM.Thediscussingleadership.Thetop-importanceofnotingthesizeofblocks necessary forlevelleaderofthebusinesswill thissub-committeeisbecauseeachsuccess include: leadership,be the most important person in PVAmemberhadadifferentlevelthe success of the SMS. When the ofexperienceinrelationstosafetycommitment, and resources.leaderdemonstratessupportof management systems, but all shared aan SMS, it resonates throughout commitment to daily safe operationsThe lack of any of thesethe entire company. intheirindividualbusiness.Thisbuilding blocks will make commitmentiswhythehistoricalIt is important to recognize the safetyrecordofPVAmembersisyour efforts fruitless and yourdifferencebetweentoeingthe so strong, as well as why a growingsystem will fail to thrive. company line and a firm believer number of members are using theirandsupporterinsafety.Be member resource of PVA FLAGSHIPactively involved in the process, to introduce their own safety management system. The idea of thisgetoutandpersonallycommunicateyourcommitmenttothe article was generated from those working groups and sub-committeeprocess. Always keep in mind that this is the management system meetings. What should an owner/operator be thinking about beforebywhichyourcompanywillfunction.saysSMSLLC.Those creating or using a safety management system? companieswiththebestSMSshareexcellentleadership.These leaders support the safety process and understand that safety isnt Throughout my career, I have seen different levels of functioningthe job of one person, but is instead the empowerment of everyone safety management systems across different sectors of the maritimewithin the business to think and, more importantly, act safe always.industry. Some systems were excellent, while others left room for vast improvement. In order to provide additional experience and anotherIn some operations, the leader will talk the talk, but will not walk opinion, I spoke with Roger Miller and Bill Mahoney from long- the walk. In those operations, the management system will always time PVA member, SMSLLC. Additionally, Roger Miller served asfail. Safety cannot be a tag line or a buzzword to be truly effective. one of our 25 sub-committee members.All leaders will at some point face a safety-related business decision. FOGHORN FOCUS: SAFETY 8 FOGHORN'