BC Shipping News - December 2011

MARINE safety MANAGEMENT render, after a hearing, a determination and, after appeal, a decision with written reasons. A future article will examine which provisions of the CSA 2001 will allow an independent review by the TATC of Transport Canada’s actions.

Chairperson Richard Hall is a full-time appointee who is also the Chief Executive Officer and oversees the TATC and its administrative staff. The scheduling of TATC appeals is done by the two fulltime Registrars and a Deputy Registrar in Ottawa. There are presently 21 part-time members of the TATC residing across Canada. It is clear from the calibre and experience of the recent appointment of Mr. Caldwell to the TATC that any mariner seeking the assistance of the TATC will have the benefit of an independent review by TATC members who have a deep understanding of the marine business and its complexity and challenges on the West Coast. This bodes well for improving the marine safety record and marine safety management and safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment in British Columbia and across Canada. The TATC’s independent and important oversight strengthens the safety management mandate of Transport Canada. Safety management is everyone business. The TATC, with members such as Mr. Caldwell, will ensure through a cost-effective independent review that Canada’s marine safety management is administered promptly, fairly and uniformly from coast to coast to coast. That is a very good thing.

Joe Spears of HBMG has, with Transport Canada Marine Safety staff, developed and delivered the week long Level 1 and 2 National Marine Investigations Course across Canada to Transport Canada marine inspectors commencing in 2002. The former TATC Chair Faye Smith has been a guest lecturer at these courses. Joe first looked at Risk Management at Lloyd’s of London while a student at the London School of Economics. He can be reached at kjs@oceanlawcanada.com.

December 2011/January 2012 BC Shipping News 45