Navigational Audit Services
To allow forward-thinking companies to measure and benchmark their navigational standards, Deep Sea and Coastal Pilots Ltd is able to offer our bespoke auditing service utilising the considerable experience of our pilots across the maritime industry.
Our operations team is available 24/7
Objective Insights. Measurable Improvements.
At Deep Sea and Coastal Pilots Ltd, we offer bespoke Navigational Audit services designed to help forward-thinking shipping companies assess, benchmark, and elevate their navigational standards.
Leveraging the extensive experience of our Trinity House-licensed Deep Sea Pilots, each with years of command-level experience at sea, we deliver comprehensive, insight-driven audits that support safer operations and continuous improvement.
Knowledge & Experience
Master Mariners. Real-Time Evaluation.
Our audits are conducted by seasoned Pilots who bring years of practical leadership at sea. Their direct involvement on the bridge provides a unique vantage point allowing them to observe real-time operations while participating in them.
This dual perspective enables our pilots to evaluate bridge procedures, navigation planning, and Bridge Team Management (BTM) with a critical yet constructive eye. The result are detailed, actionable reports that help identify areas for improvement and reinforce navigational best practices across your fleet.
TMSA Navigational Safety Audits
Focused Auditing Aligned with Industry Best Practice
For tanker operators engaged in the OCIMF Tanker Management and Self-Assessment (TMSA) program, our navigational audit services provide expert, independent evaluation specifically tailored to Element 5: Navigational Safety.
This element addresses the critical aspects of safe navigation, helping companies ensure that bridge operations, navigational procedures, and team management meet or exceed industry standards. Our audits examine:
- Bridge Team Management and Communication
- Voyage Planning and Execution
- Use and Maintenance of Navigational Equipment
- Compliance with Company and Regulatory Navigational Procedures
- Risk Management and Decision-Making on the Bridge
- Training and Competency of Navigational Personnel
By concentrating on these areas, our audits help tanker operators identify strengths and improvement opportunities to enhance navigational safety and operational reliability.
Completing external navigational audits as part of TMSA supports operators in progressing towards higher program levels and demonstrates a genuine commitment to safe and professional vessel management, qualities that charterers increasingly seek.
Benefits of Our Navigational Audit Services
Why Choose Deep Sea and Coastal Pilots Ltd?
Pilots Who Know the Seas and the Vessels:
Our navigational audits are performed by Trinity House-certified deep sea pilots who bring invaluable hands-on command experience and intimate knowledge of local and international navigation challenges. This expertise ensures your audit is grounded in practical reality, not just theoretical assessment.
Integrated Pilotage and Auditing Services:
Unlike stand-alone auditors, our pilots often conduct audits alongside their primary role of providing pilotage services. This unique positioning offers a live, immersive insight into vessel operations during transit, enabling a richer, more accurate audit informed by real-time observations.
Practical, Actionable Recommendations:
Our dual role allows us to identify not only compliance gaps but also subtle operational inefficiencies and risk factors, giving you clear, actionable guidance to improve safety, performance, and crew competence.
Enhanced Credibility with Charterers and Regulators:
Having audits conducted by licensed deep sea pilots enhances the credibility and weight of your safety management credentials, helping your company stand out during inspections, audits, and commercial negotiations.
Streamlined Communication and Scheduling:
Combining pilotage and auditing services reduces the need for additional external auditors onboard, cutting down on scheduling complexities and minimizing disruption to your vessel’s operations. There are also cost savings to be made in terms of travelling expenses and additional embarkation and disembarkation arrangements.
Commercial Advantage
Delivering Value Beyond Compliance
Shipping companies that demonstrate a consistent commitment to navigational safety and transparent reporting often benefit from:
- Improved chartering prospects
- Reduced inspection durations
- Stronger commercial differentiation in a competitive market
In today’s environment, charterers demand more than operational capability, they look for evidence-based standards and a culture of continuous improvement. High-quality, third-party audits can serve as a key differentiator, moving negotiations beyond price alone.
TMSA External Navigational Safety Audits are also a critical component in achieving Level 4 status within the TMSA program, positioning operators to attract charterers who are willing to invest in reliability, safety, and long-term performance.
Order a Pilot Today
To discuss your requirements or arrange our pilotage services, please contact us directly. Our operations team is available 24/7 to assist with boarding coordination, scheduling, and rates.