ISO 19011 — Course in progress

ISM, ISPS & MLC Lead Auditor — qualification in progress

The Lloyd's Maritime Institute ISM/ISPS/MLC Lead Auditor course is currently being completed. Once certified, this qualification enables us to plan and conduct full management system audits as lead auditor — a step up from the internal auditor role we currently hold. In the meantime, our full internal audit and gap-analysis services are available right now.

See current audit services

What lead auditor qualification means

Internal vs lead auditor

An internal auditor is qualified to assess a company's own SMS on its behalf — the role appropriate for gap analysis and pre-certification preparation, and the qualification we currently hold (Lloyd's Maritime Institute, certified).

A lead auditor, qualified to ISO 19011 principles, is qualified to plan and conduct a complete audit of a management system as the lead — the role Recognised Organisations, flag state administrations, and larger management companies need filled for external or third-party audit work. The Lloyd's Maritime Institute Lead Auditor course is currently in progress and will complete this qualification.

What this will enable

Once certified

Lead Auditor certification speaks directly to the competence to plan and conduct (not just support) audits, and opens the conversation with Recognised Organisations about subcontract auditor arrangements in this region.

We do not conduct statutory ISM/ISPS/MLC audits on behalf of any flag state or RO — that is the role of Recognised Organisations acting under flag-state delegation. Our role is independent of those bodies: internal audits, gap analysis, and pre-certification preparation that ensures vessels arrive at those statutory processes in the best possible position.

The statutory audit pathway — how it actually works

What independent consultants can and cannot do

Statutory ISM/ISPS/MLC certification audits — the ones that produce a Document of Compliance (DOC), Safety Management Certificate (SMC), International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC), or MLC certificate — are legally conducted by Recognised Organisations (ROs) acting under flag-state delegation, or by the flag administration itself. Independent consultants cannot issue these certificates alone, regardless of their qualifications. What independent consultants can and should do is ensure your vessel is genuinely ready before the statutory audit takes place — through rigorous internal audits, gap analysis, and pre-inspection preparation. Once our Lead Auditor certification is complete and RO or flag-state subcontract arrangements have been established, we will update this page to reflect any change in scope.

Recognised Organisations operating in this region

Who conducts statutory audits in NZ, Australia, and the Pacific

For statutory ISM/ISPS/MLC audits, you will need to engage one of the Recognised Organisations authorised by your flag state. The following ROs operate in New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific region:

Lloyd's Register (LR)

One of the world's leading classification societies, with offices in Auckland and Sydney. Authorised by multiple flag states including Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, and the major Pacific registries.

DNV (Det Norske Veritas)

Global classification society with a strong presence in Australia and the Pacific. Authorised by a wide range of flag states for ISM/ISPS/MLC statutory audits.

Bureau Veritas (BV)

French classification society with regional representation in Australia and New Zealand. Particularly active in the superyacht and commercial vessel sector.

ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)

Major US-based classification society with Pacific region coverage. Authorised for statutory audits under numerous flag states relevant to vessels operating in this region.

ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai)

Japan-based classification society with a significant presence in Pacific shipping. Particularly relevant for vessels operating in routes between Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.

RINA (Registro Italiano Navale)

Italian classification society with global reach. Relevant for European-flagged and Mediterranean-origin vessels transiting to the Pacific, including vessels flagged under Channel Islands registries.

Note: Which RO is authorised for your vessel depends on your flag state's list of accepted Recognised Organisations. If you are unsure which RO to approach for a statutory audit, contact us — we can help you identify the correct pathway for your flag state and vessel type, and ensure your SMS is ready before that conversation happens.