June 4, 2002

(Piraeus) ABS has released the new, Version 3.0 of its ABS SafeNet Survey Status program to more than 1,000 ship and vessel owners worldwide. "This version establishes a new industry standard for user friendliness and operational efficiencies," says Gary Latin, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

There are a number of significant new features incorporated into the web-based application, many as a result of valuable feedback from existing users. These include the ability for the shipowner to delegate access to the complete survey database of one or all the vessels within its fleet to any number of additional users, including each of the ships. Each vessel can be granted on-board access to its own survey status without the need for any on-site installation or maintenance.

Another key feature is the Fleet Planning facility, believed to be unique in the manner in which it provides an owner/manager with a complete, quick and easily understood presentation of any or all surveys, dry dockings and repairs for the entire fleet for any specified period to facilitate budgeting and forecasting. "Many owners of ABS-classed vessels have told us that this feature will greatly enhance their ability to plan the survey requirements, and associated costs, for their entire fleet so that schedules and budgets can be optimized," says Latin.

The new version of SafeNet is also integrated with the ongoing ABS Office 2000 program that is progressively introducing a comprehensive, IT-based system that encompasses all survey activity: from scheduling to process instructions to invoicing throughout the entire ABS global network of more than 200 representative offices. "Version 3.0 provides owners with real time information," Latin explains. "As soon as the work order for a survey is issued, SafeNet shows that survey as being in progress. With the demands being made upon the IACS societies for greater transparency of information, this will place accurate information into the system on a real-time basis. The benefit to an owner is that it will prevent a vessel from being listed with overdue surveys just because the handling of the paperwork lags behind what has already happened on board, as can occur in traditional manual reporting and filing systems."

There are currently more than 1,600 users of ABS SafeNet located around the globe. With the new Version 3.0 they will find all of the previous data but it has been extensively repackaged to make it more accessible and easier to manipulate. "For example, information on the survey status of individual pieces of machinery or equipment has always been carried within SafeNet," says Latin. "But, in the new version, all of this data has been reorganized into an ISO-STEP compliant data structure. For instance, the status of the entire ballast water system or all pumps on board can be tracked. This makes it much easier for an owner to view the status of complete systems or component-types, rather than isolated items."

Reporting functionality has also been greatly advanced with information being compiled in a format that makes downloading to disk, printing, faxing or e-mailing quick, clear and simple.

"From its initial release in 1995, ABS SafeNet has set the pace in the practical application of IT to help shipowners better manage the classification requirements of their fleet," says Latin. "It is also the backbone of ABS' own survey activity, providing our field surveyors with the most comprehensive, up to date information, and with the most advanced tools to support them, while placing a tight rein on costs. This latest, web-based version advances SafeNet, and the concept of electronic tracking of the survey history and requirements for a ship or a fleet of ships, to a new standard."

Founded in 1862, ABS is a leading international classification society devoted to promoting the security of life, property and the marine environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities.

For more information, contact:
Susan V. Gonzalez,
(281) 877-5853
Or email: sgonzalez@eagle.org