• Dry-Dock Module Development
• A Successful Year to Date
• User Conference Update
• Upcoming Events
• New Employees

NS presents the development plan for the new Dry Dock Management Module at the User Conference October 3 – 5 in San Francisco. Designed from feedback received during a client working committee, the module will ease the administration burden presented by maintenance events such as major dry-dockings or refits. The new features will allow organizations to easily:

• capture maintenance events
• prepare and compare RFQ and bid solicitations
• generate dry dock specifications
• manage work assignments, invoicing and cost accruals.

Companies included in the committee are Dorchester Maritime, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, Interlake Steamship, MARAD, Maritrans, OSG Ship Management, SMT Services, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. The variety of organizations allowed NS to gain valuable insight into the varying needs and requirements across large and small companies in diverse markets. Thanks to all who participated.

Nautical Systems has had unprecedented success during the first half of 2006 Welcome to many new clients, including:

• BP / China LNG Shipping (International) Co. Ltd.
• California Maritime
• Dockendale Shipping
• Farifield Industries
• Global Container Lines
• Global Industries
• Great Lakes Maritime
• Interocean American Shipping
• Pacific Gulf Marine
• Rigdon Marine
• Seacor Marine LLC
• TDI-Brooks International

Our Client-Centered approach developing NS 5 products and on-going client relations is a key component to the company’s continued growth. The outlook for the second half of 2006 is promising as well, and could result in the strongest year in NS history! We thank our valued clients and are here to listen.

Gerald Carter, President of Canada Steamship Lines, will open this year’s User Conference as the Keynote Speaker discussing how to maximize the value of NS Software.

Clients such as Interlake Steamship Company and Matson Navigation Company, among others, will present on their use of the various NS 5 modules, providing insight into unique functionalities and benefits to the organization.

Afternoon round-table sessions will provide further opportunities for users to discuss best practice applications of NS 5, and assist Nautical Systems in the development plan for 2007.

The conference is being held October 3 – 5 in San Francisco. Registration for the conference is now open online, and suggestions for roundtable topics are welcome. Contact Jennifer Bewley at jbewley@abs-ns.com for more details. Register online at: http://www.abs-ns.com/usercon/announce.html

Visit Nautical Systems at the upcoming fall events.:

Nautical Systems continues its expansion to keep up with growth and client demand and welcomes the following new members to our team!

Chris McCourt
Product Consultant, Houston

Chris joined the ABS Nautical Systems Operations Department on May 22.  With more than 10 years of previous experience in Marine Operations and Vessel Management, Chris has already started working with clients on support issues and will soon be assigned to implementation projects.  Chris' background also includes Project Management and Marine Software exposure, as well as an MBA.
Email at: cmccourt@abs-ns.com

Dale Swift
Product Consultant, Houston

Dale has also joined ABS Nautical Systems, starting in a support role on June 5th.  Dale is versed in computer system support and will be assigned to the Help Desk based in the Houston Office.  His background includes 5 years with the USCG and more recently managing hardware and software systems as well as client support.  Dale will be tasked with a lead role in day to day client support and will also be involved in the implementation of our new client management and support system.
Email at: dswift@abs-ns.com

Kathleen Smith
Office Administrator, Houston

Kathleen Smith joined the ABS Nautical Systems Operations Department on May 15 as Office Administrator. She has more than twelve years experience in providing client support in Management Systems Certification and auditing. She will be providing administrative support to the President, Executive staff, Sales department and assist in customer support.
Email at: katsmith@abs-ns.com

Royce Engler
Manager of Product Development, Houston

Royce Engler has over 33 years of broad based technical, business and management experience.  A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served 8 years active duty in the Navy Nuclear Power Program, and 22 years in the Navy Reserve, retiring at the rank of Captain.  He holds BS degrees in mathematics and finance, and MS degrees in nuclear engineering, petroleum engineering, and information technology management.  He has over twenty five years experience in corporations ranging from Fortune 15 to startups in engineering, information technology, business development, and operations. He is a registered Professional Engineer.
Email at: rengler@abs-ns.com

Leong Weng Keong
Senior Product Consultant, Singapore

Leong joins NS from a shipowning and shipmanagement background holding the position of a Technical Superintendent. He graduated with a Marine Engineer Class 1 License of Competency and has sailing experience as a Chief Engineer for several years prior to taking up an office posting in his previous company.
Email at: lkeong@abs-ns.com