Leading UK Certifying Authority, MECAL Ltd, selected IMSM to help them implement ISO 9001 because one of their accredited personnel had successfully used IMSM for certification of his own business.
Based in Devon, MECAL was established by the Institute of Marine Engineers Small Ships Group in the early 1990s in response to the Department of Transport’s invitation to the small commercial vessel industry to create certifying authorities to administer the new Shipping Law. This was brought about as a result of some high profile disasters in the 1980s. The company now has a worldwide network of highly qualified and experienced professional surveyors, naval architects and engineers, enabling them to offer full consultancy on all marine related matters.
MECAL is authorised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to survey and certificate commercial sailing, motor vessels and workboats up to 24M Load Line Length. In 2001, MECAL inherited 270 vessels on its register, which has now grown to nearly 1200 vessels, making MECAL the largest UK Certifying Authority.
 MECAL worked with IMSM to attain ISO 9001 certification in order to match the larger traditional Class Societies. John Fearnley, Principal Surveyor said that this was to demonstrate that they can take on the survey and certification of a wider "net" of vessels within their industry, rather than confine themselves to small vessels like their competitors.
John explained how they felt that ISO 9001 would complement and enhance their existing operations. “As a Certifying Authority, MECAL has 2 roles; creation and maintenance of a register of certified vessels and creation and maintenance of a register of authorised professional surveyors and naval architects who are accredited to carry out the necessary work on behalf of MECAL. Both these functions fit in well with the ISO9001 QC concept. It most certainly adds credibility and also helps recognition by national and international bodies. It has already been recognised by UK and Jersey governments as a significant step for us to take.”
Although initially concerned about the amount of admin work required, IMSM demonstrated that the way MECAL had developed naturally fell in line with ISO 9001 without any major upheavals.
Commenting on IMSM’s service, John said, “They were very good, particularly the input from Derek Luffman who, as well as spending time to ensure that we had a workable system in place that reflected truly our operation, (not just a paper exercise), was recognised by all our staff as being a real gentleman.”
http://www.mecal.co.uk/
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