Great Lakes Fleet Achieves Quality, Safety Certifications

USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc. has been certified as meeting the stringent international ISO 9002 quality standards and ISM safety and environmental standards, making it one of only two American flag Vessel Companies on the Great Lakes to have achieved this mark. In addition, the M/V Edgar B. Speer became the first American flag bulk carrier on the Great Lakes to receive a Safety Management Certification from the American Bureau of Shipping signifying its compliance with rigorous ABS safety and quality standards.

ISO 9002/ ISM certification culminated a 24 -month teamwork effort at the USS Great Lakes Fleet, which involved virtually all of the company's approximately 350 employees working to develop and implement a quality and safety management system that meets the special needs and challenges of its customers and the shipping industry.

"This was a major undertaking that required a significant commitment of both human and financial resources", said Adolph Ojard, general manager of Great Lakes Fleet. "ISO 9002 certification is an important step because it means that our quality assurance efforts will be recognized in the marketplace.