Helm Partners With ACTion Group On Subchapter M Safety Management

Helm Operations (Victoria, British Columbia) and the ACTion group (Channelview, Texas) announced August 8 that they have signed a new partnership agreement to help inland marine companies address the challenges of the Subchapter M regulations and implement new software to reduce the costs of compliance.

As part of the agreement, ACTion will begin offering safety management services via Helm CONNECT and provide consulting and training to companies moving to the industry standard platform.

ACTion is one of the inland marine industry’s leading safety management and certification companies.

Since its founding in 1999 by Capt. David A. Foret Jr., the company has provided various compliance, vetting, training, and related services to the maritime industry. In recent years, ACTion has moved to the forefront of digitalization, developing its own software solutions and most recently forming a partnership with Seamen’s Church Institute to support online training for mariners and shore staff.

Working with Helm Operations, ACTion will phase out its legacy document management software and begin deploying its services through Helm CONNECT, helping its customers progress in their everyday operations.

“We’ve been incredibly impressed by the growth of Helm,” said ACTion vice president Adam Foret. “Helm CONNECT is quickly becoming the industry standard for safety management software. Between our expertise in safety management systems and Helm CONNECT’s data management abilities, we will be able to provide a complete Subchapter M compliance solution.”

Helm Operations created Helm CONNECT in 2016. Today, more than 180 companies rely on Helm CONNECT to manage vessel maintenance, regulatory compliance, operations, and personnel management, including seven of North America’s top 10 marine operators. Helm Operations recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and also achieved a major milestone, as it reached more than 4,000 vessels using the software platform.

“Our goal at Helm isn’t just to provide great software, it’s to work alongside other industry leaders to help our customers address the challenges of new regulations and technology,” said Helm Operations CEO and founder Ron deBruyne. “The ACTion group has been at the forefront of the industry for 20 years, and it’s fantastic to be able to work alongside them to help support our industry as it moves forward.”