53
JUNE 2026
T
he Passenger Vessel Asso-
ciation (PVA) is pleased to 
announce the official desig-
nation of Quality Management In-
ternational, Inc. (QMII) as a Recog-
nized Flagship Organization (RFO). 
This designation authorizes QMII to 
conduct audits and issue reports for 
participants that have implemented 
the PVA Flagship Safety Management 
System (SMS). 
The Flagship SMS is a structured, doc-
umented system developed by PVA to 
enable company personnel to manage 
safety through proactive, continual 
improvement. Flagship is a compre-
hensive, voluntary SMS tailored spe-
cifically for the U.S. passenger vessel 
industry. By meeting the functional 
requirements of 33 CFR Part 96, the 
program ensures that participating 
members adhere to comprehensive 
national safety objectives.
“By implementing the PVA Flagship 
SMS, PVA members not only demon-
strate regulatory compliance but also 
efficiently take their safety and risk 
management programs to the next 
level,” said PVA director of Regulato-
ry Affairs and Risk Management Eric 
Christensen. “Flagship SMS partici-
pants will also have a head start on any 
future regulatory mandates.” 
The Flagship SMS leverages years of 
collaboration between PVA and the 
Coast Guard and draws on lessons 
learned from the implementation of 
the Towing Safety Management Sys-
tem (TSMS). 
Under the program structure:
• PVA administers and manages the 
overarching PVA Flagship Program 
and Safety Management System 
requirements.
• Participating PVA members imple-
ment and manage their individual 
Flagship SMS system.
• QMII, as an RFO, is now available 
to provide audit services for the 
PVA Flagship Safety Management 
System to verify company compli-
ance and program effectiveness.
QMII was approved following a 
comprehensive evaluation of its orga-
nizational structure, internal quality 
systems, and the deep maritime exper-
tise of its auditing team. The firm’s 
ISO 9001:2015 certified management 
system and commitment to auditor 
independence ensure the highest level 
of integrity for the Flagship Program. 
This partnership represents a signifi-
cant step in the PVA’s commitment 
to safety as an object of continual 
improvement, ensuring the domestic 
passenger vessel industry remains 
properly resourced and effective in 
meeting safety objectives.
NEWSWIRE
PVA Approves QMII as Recognized 
Flagship Organization
From left: QMII CEO Julius DeSilva; QMII Board of Directors Chairman 
and Owner Dr. Inderjit Arora; PVA Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk 
Management Eric Christensen; PVA Senior Regulatory and Programs Advisor  
Lee Boone; and PVA Executive Director John Groundwater
NEWSWIRE

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