photo and text by ISPO
The International Users Group of ISPO certified pilot organizations (IUG) congratulates the Corporación Prácticos del Puerto de Santander (Santander Pilot Service) on gaining its ISPO accreditation. It is another step forward for the International Standard for Maritime Pilot Organizations that the Santander Pilots have been recognised for their standards of best practice.
The ISPO is a quality and safety management system produced for pilots by pilots and provides performance criteria for Risk Management, Training & Qualification, Pilot Operations, Customer Relations and Emergency Preparedness. These operational procedures which are audited by a classification society, ensures a continuous improvement cycle and provides self-regulation and transparency in pilotage standards to all port stakeholders.
This month, Lloyd’s Register conducted external audits of the Santander Pilots operations and procedures, and its Integrated Management System were deemed satisfactory. The Santander Pilots has received accreditation from Lloyd’s Register for its commitment to providing the shipping industry, the Spanish coast and Santander Port with a pilotage service that is quantifiable with respect to the safety management of its operations and its commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
The Santander Pilots is the 23nd ISPO certified pilot organization in the world and there is a growing trend for Pilotage Service Providers to adopt the ISPO as the providers begin to see the benefits of quality and safety management systems.
The IUG, responsible for ISPO, hopes this trend continues and that more pilot organizations will voluntarily opt for this quality and safety management system.