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| Co-Chairmen's Welcome | Evolution | Organization | Membership | Points of Contact | SOCP Bylaws | SOCP Code of Membership |
Welcome to the
Ship Operations Cooperative Program web site
CAPT Thomas L. Bushy
CAPT W. G. (Tom) Tomasovic
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Alaska Tanker Company
Vice President for External
Affairs
Marine Superintendent
Co-Chairman
Co-Chairman
SOCP
SOCP
As Co-Chairmen, we are proud to introduce the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) to you. After reading about this member-supported, maritime shipping industry organization, we think you will agree to its merits and long-term potential.
The Ship Operations Cooperative Program was founded in1993 under a "Cooperative Agreement" between the founding members and the US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration. This founding group consisted of five forward thinking members, and has grown to include over 40 members of shipowners from the ocean, coastal and inland fleets, classifications societies, maritime technology firms, maritime training institutions, maritime labor groups and pertinent government agencies. The membership has joined together as partners to seek solutions to ship operations problems and to develop products together. This allows unparalleled economies of scale, allowing the smallest of operators to benefit equally to the larger corporations.
One of the unique aspects of the membership is the spirit of cooperation. Organizations that compete in the market place leave their differences aside when dealing with common barriers to success. An example is the significant number of training tapes that have been produced, where professionals have been employed to script and film high-quality video in areas such as basic safety training and confined space entry procedures. Equally valuable to the members are projects completed in Fuel Oil Testing Data, Human Factors Research, Thermal Navigation System Evaluation, and Regulatory Research and Analysis.
As SOCP moves toward the completion of its first decade of partnership, we have many ongoing projects pending, and a long list of potential programs. The Smart Card Project (for Mariners) is progressing with strong leadership that keeps the maritime industry’s interests well known to regulators. One of the strongest groups taking action toward Mariner Recruitment and Retention has been our members – by participating in working groups above and beyond our usual meeting schedule. A topic all facets of our industry is concerned with – maritime security – has been met head-on since the fall meeting in 2001 – and will be one of our key projects this coming year.
Membership in SOCP is open to a wide spectrum of maritime industries. If you are just now learning about our organization, and desire to know more about what we are all about, let us know. Not only are we co-chairmen available to discuss the benefits of joining, but all our members will do the same. The names and contact information included in this brochure demonstrates our firm belief that we speak with one voice. Better yet, why not make plans to attend one or more of our meetings in 2003 – in San Diego, Pittsburgh or Piney Point, Maryland. We are sure you will enjoy the expertise, brainstorming and camaraderie we enjoy. If you cannot attend one of our meetings, then view us live on the Web Cast by logging on at our website the first day of our meeting.
Contact information for the SOCP can be found elsewhere on this web site and please feel free to contact Mr. Ram Nagendran (nagendran_ram@prc.com.) should you have any questions on the SOCP.