USCG approval for world’s first BWMS

Although ECS-A is no longer in production having being replaced by ECS-B with its increased processing capacity, the approval means that clients who have the earlier system installed are also covered.

ECS-A received International Maritime Organisation approval in 2006 before being replaced by ECS-B in 2012. Both ECS and ECS-A obtained USCG alternate management system approval in 2013, which allowed free entry into the US until 2018.

Performing a certification test of a discontinued product not only requires the need to produce new test equipment, but also conduct a comparative verification test to investigate whether it is the same as the product at the time, a costly and timely process. Techcross chose to push ahead with gaining this approval, mindful of the industry’s tendency to induce customers to upgrade even when not necessary.