Internal audits are only as good as the person conducting them, but this is only half of the picture. An audit is only as effective as the Safety Management System it assesses. And an SMS is only truly robust if it is properly implemented — not just on paper, but in practice, checklists are vast and tailored, not generic, risk assessments are dynamic and used as a working tool, not a paper tick-box exercise. Without that foundation, even the best auditor cannot compensate for a weak system. Our audits are carried out by certified auditors who are ex-Master Mariners, and Chief Engineers with years of experience both behind the wheel at sea and ashore as Marine Superintendents and Fleet Managers. This dual perspective means we don't just check boxes — we know what genuinely matters on board, and we deliver clear, solid, actionable reports that reflect real operational reality, not just paperwork compliance.
Why Are Our Audits Different?
Spending a few days on board, ticking off a dozen checklists, and jotting down a handful of comments does fulfil a regulatory obligation — but not in any way that actually matters.
Is that really what we're after? It won't change anything. Next audit, next vessel will bring repeated findings
If we want to genuinely improve safety culture and ensure the crew is fully engaged in the process, we need to change our approach to auditing. Beyond fulfilling the necessary regulatory function, an audit should leave something behind — it should stay in the crew's memory and teach them something.
The transfer of knowledge is just as important as the requirements themselves. And who is better placed to deliver that than someone who has spent years at the wheels who knows the ins and outs of this job like no one else?
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We are not just auditors. We are coaches and mentors. And that is the true aim of every audit we conduct.
Core Audit Areas
ISM Audits
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Safety Management System implementation review
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Verification of procedures against actual practice
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Non-conformity identification and root cause analysis
Cargo Audits
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Cargo operation procedures and compliance
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Documentation and record-keeping review
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Vessel-specific cargo system verification
MLC Audits
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Crew welfare, working, and living conditions
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Compliance with Maritime Labour Convention requirements
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Documentation and certification review
Handover/Takeover /Pre-purchase Inspection
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Full condition assessment of the vessel — new build delivery, change the management, or charter redelivery
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Verification of certificates, class records, and outstanding recommendations or conditions of class
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Physical inspection to confirm vessel condition matches documentation, flagging any discrepancies before responsibility transfers
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Review of spares, inventories, manuals, and outstanding defect lists to ensure nothing is lost in the transition
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Independent record of vessel condition at the point of handover — protecting both outgoing and incoming parties from later disputes over pre-existing damage or missing equipment
ISPS Audits
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Security procedures and ISPS documentation review
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Crew security awareness
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Access control and security equipment checks
Mooring Audits
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Mooring procedures and equipment condition
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Crew competence and communication during operations
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Risk assessment and near-miss reporting review
Engineering Audits
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Full technical assessment of engine room machinery, systems, and maintenance practices.
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Thermal imaging inspection to detect insulation defects, overheating, and early-stage equipment failure before they become costly breakdowns
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Noise and vibration measurements and diagnostic
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Verification of the Planned Maintenance System ( PMS), spare parts control.
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Deck machinery and electrical systems condition and compliance checks
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Environmental and energy efficiency compliance checks
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Verification of fluid condition monitoring data (lube oil, fuel oil, boiler water etc) with trend analysis and remedial follow-up
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SIRE 2 and RISQ 3.2 compliance check
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Engine department personnel performance and competence evaluation
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Structured findings with photographic evidence and actionable corrective recommendations — not just a pass/fail checklist
Navigational Audits (Dynamic & Static)
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Bridge team performance during live operations (dynamic)
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Passage planning, records and familiarisation review (static)
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Equipment functionality and watchkeeping standards
Environmental Audits
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Quality management system compliance
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Process documentation and implementation review
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Continuous improvement verification
Technical Inspections
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General condition survey
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Verification of machinery status including thermal imaging inspection, noise and vibration checks.
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Verification of fluid condition monitoring data
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Review of the Planned Maintenance System (PMS) and spare parts control.
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Pre-CAP inspections and support for class Condition Assessment Programme (CAP) surveys and ratings.
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Structured findings with photographic evidence, benchmarked scoring, and clear corrective action recommendations
Pre-PSC (Port State Control) Compliance Audits
Scope: A mock Port State Control inspection carried out before the vessel calls at a port known for strict enforcement, or ahead of a scheduled/anticipated PSC visit. The aim is to identify and close out deficiencies in advance, reduce the risk of detention, delay, or adverse vetting history, and prepare the crew to confidently handle the real inspection.
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Review of statutory certificates and documentation validity
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Inspection structured around current Paris MOU / Tokyo MOU priorities and any active Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) focus areas
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Verification of life-saving and fire-fighting equipment condition
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Bridge equipment, navigation systems, and passage planning documentation check
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Observation of emergency drills with assessment of crew response and familiarity
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MARPOL compliance check, and related documentation
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Simulated PSC-style crew interviews on SMS knowledge, emergency duties, and familiarisation
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Visual check of structural and hull condition for obvious deficiencies
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Accommodation, galley, and living-condition check (MLC-related items commonly flagged in PSC)
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Deficiency close-out plan with prioritised corrective actions, responsible parties, and timelines ahead of the actual port call
Independent,
On-Board Verification
Unlike desk-based or purely documentary reviews, our audits include genuine on-board, hands-on verification — observing real operations, speaking directly with crew, and physically checking equipment and conditions. The result is an independent, unbiased assessment you can trust, backed by clear, well-structured, solid reporting that gives you real visibility into your fleet's actual performance.
Safety Inspections
Scope: A hands-on verification of safety equipment, systems, and crew readiness against SOLAS and company safety standards — focused on genuine operational preparedness rather than paper compliance, so the crew is actually ready to respond, not just able to show a signed checklist.
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Life-saving appliances — condition, testing, and certification review
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Fire-fighting systems and equipment inspection
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Observation of fire and abandon-ship drills with crew performance evaluation and post-drill debrief
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Testing of emergency systems
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Permits to work, LOTO and Risk Assessments — documentation review and practical verification
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) availability and condition assessment.
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Function tests of bridge and engine room alarm and monitoring systems
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Review of Safety Officer/Safety Committee meeting records and effectiveness
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Assessment of near-miss and incident reporting culture
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Crew safety training records and refresher training verification
Who This Is For
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Owners and managers seeking independent verification beyond internal reporting
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Companies preparing for external audits, vetting, or certification
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Operators wanting an honest, experienced eye on operational compliance
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Anyone needing confidence that procedures on paper match practice on board
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Companies without the luxury of extensive internal resources — not every operator has a full in-house team of superintendents and auditors, and that's exactly where we come in, acting as your outsourced technical and audit capability whenever and wherever you need it