• NS London Office Now Open
• 2006 User Conference
• Survey Status Integration
• Dry-Dock Product Committee Meeting April 19, 20th
• Upcoming Events
• Staff Additions

Coming off our most successful year to date, and projecting an even stronger 2006, NS has opened a new Regional Office in London. Overseeing all sales and operations activities for the Europe and Middle East regions, this new location will help strengthen our position in the European marketplace as well as provide additional support for our offices in Hamburg and Piraeus. President Jack Kitchura states that “NS has seen significant new interest in our product and services in Northern Europe and the timing seemed right for the expansion”. For more information contact Bob Kessler at rkessler@abs-ns.com.

The 2006 conference to be held October 3-5 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco, will provide clients the opportunity to interface with other system users, view presentations from other clients who are utilizing NS products in innovative ways, and participate in round-table sessions to discuss future product developments. As in years past, NS will also be offering limited seating for training on the Friday following the conference. Learn more and register for the conference at www.abs-ns.com/usercon2006, or contact Jennifer Bewley at jbewley@abs-ns.com.

Responding to client requests, ABS Nautical Systems has developed an interface allowing shipowners to download ABS classification machinery survey status data directly into the Maintenance & Repair module of the NS-5 fleet management software. This is believed to be the first direct interface between class survey data and any commercial fleet management software package currently available on the market. Read the entire press release here, or contact Joe Woods at jwoods@abs-ns.com for more information.

Continuing efforts to provide clients the best in Fleet Management Software, NS is creating a committee to further expand and enhance our existing Dry-Dock product. This includes developing tools to better manage the data collection, cost reporting and analysis of dry dock projects. The new tools will be integrated with the NS 5 Maintenance & Repair module, thereby providing the benefits of a single system with near real-time data across all company vessels and locations. NS will host a committee meeting in Houston, TX on April 19 th & 20 th, allowing clients the opportunity to participate in the product development. Seating will be limited. Contact Joe Woods at jwoods@abs-ns.com to reserve your seat.

Nautical Systems’ is actively participating in numerous conferences around the globe throughout 2006, including the upcoming events below. Visit our website to see a complete list of events for 2006.

Record growth in our client base is translating into a consistently growing worldwide team of personnel. We are pleased to announce the following newest members of the Nautical Systems’ team.

Bruce Kendall
Manager - Customer Services
Houston, TX

Bruce has joined ABS NS from the IMS group of ABS Corporate. His role encompasses consultant scheduling, financial administration and other tasks including being a point of contact for all clients for Operational issues. Based in Houston, Bruce will become a familiar voice to our clients as he takes on these important client-centered responsibilities. Email at bkendall@abs-ns.com

Doug Brotherton
Product Consultant
Houston, TX

Doug joined ABS NS in 2005 as part of the expansion of Houston based consulting staff. His background includes working in the purchasing department of a large shipping company and also was responsible for several Office Services functions. Doug is managing client implementations in the Houston area and adds a client’s perspective of shipping company purchasing to our staff. Email at dbrotherton@abs-ns.com

Tony Boulanger
Product Consultant
Houston, TX

Tony has been brought on board in our Houston Office to run the day to day support function and to continue to improve upon our support infrastructure. With prior experience in establishing and operating helpdesk functions for several companies, Tony has brought a skill set to the NS support team that will be of benefit to all our clients. Email at tboulanger@abs-ns.com

Ravi Bhaskarabhatta
Senior Systems Analyst
Houston, TX

Ravi has been a software developer at ABS NS's parent, the American Bureau of Shipping, since 1996, and has participated in the development and enhancement of a number of ABS's key internal systems, including the Survey Status module which is available to ABS clients. Email at rbhaskarabhatta@abs-ns.com

Tho Nguyen
Project Manager
Washington D.C.

Tho is the latest addition to our Washington DC based staff. With a background in Project Management, Consulting and Software Implementations, Tho has taken on the role and title of Program Manager for ABS NS's U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) project. Email at tnguyen@abs-ns.com

Jeremy Ang
Assistant Product Consultant
Singapore

Jeremy joins NS from ABS Consulting - Marine Services. He graduated with a Diploma in Marine Engineering from the Singapore Polytechnic and has experience as a sea-going engineer in the past. Jeremy assists in client projects involving systems installation, training, product support and consulting. Email at jang@abs-ns.com