ABERDEEN-based risk management specialist Marex has been appointed as an independent safety auditor for Aberdeenshire Council’s seven harbours.
Aberdeenshire Council Harbour Board has appointed Marex as the independent Designated Person (DP) to monitor compliance with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC).
As the port facility duty holder, the council must make sure their organisation complies with the code and must report compliance with the code to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency every three years.
Marex will review all seven of the harbours under the management and control of Aberdeenshire Council. Their main objective is determining through assessment and audit of the safety management system, compliance with the PMSC.
They will provide independent assurance directly to the council as duty holder that the marine safety management system is working effectively.
Senior marine consultant Donna Van Damme said: “At Marex, our 25 years of experience means we understand the risk and compliance within these environments from large commercial ports to smaller municipal piers.
“The unique combination of our expertise both in risk and in marine is what makes us stand out. We’re risk management specialists but also come from the marine industry so we can provide that experienced perspective on ports.
“The team has just returned from a six-month project in the Middle East testing emergency response planning at two of Qatar’s main ports. This latest contract award shows we can help duty holders regardless of their geographic location, size or scale – safe operations are vitally important everywhere.”
Aberdeenshire Council is responsible for seven harbours. Macduff is the only commercial harbour and there are six recreational harbours: Banff, Portsoy, Rosehearty, Stonehaven, Gourdon and Johnshaven.
