THE International Ship Managers' Association (ISMA) is to expand its sphere of influence by inviting crew managers to join as associate members. The decision was taken at the association's executive meeting in London recently. According to Peter Cremers, managing director of Hong Kong-based Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, the ISMA Code on Crew Managers was being finalised to enable them to join the grouping. In the past crew managers have attended ISMA meetings as observers. Mr Cremers is chairman of ISMA' manpower supply and training committee. ISMA membership now stands at 35 companies, offering full ship management services. Six members have received ISMA certificates of quality assurance. ISMA also has invited the American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai to discuss broadening its audit body, currently comprising Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd and Lloyd's Register. The association also has embarked on a project to set up a register of training courses. This co-ordinated data base will provide members with information on access to a wide variety of courses. A working group has been set up to investigate the feasibility of establishing a standard pre-employment test for seafarers. The group also is re-examining its relationship with marine insurers. Mr Cremers said that after a recent meeting with senior representatives of the insurance industry, it was felt that there was a common but fundamental misconception of the position of ship managers. in their relationship to marine insurers.
