Designated Person Ashore (DPA)

Confidential Career Solutions, LLC; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Career Solutions, LLC is seeking a Designated Person Ashore (DPA) to maintain communication between vessels and shore management and to oversee safe, compliant operations across the fleet. The DPA ensures resources and shore support, and drives continuous SMS improvement in line with ISM and MARPOL standards.

The role involves coordinating audits, monitoring vessel compliance, liaising with Masters, and reporting on safety performance and regulatory developments to senior management.

Qualifications

• Minimum maritime qualification or degree.
• Strong knowledge of the ISM Code and international regulations.
• Practical experience in ship operations safety and ship management.
• Experience with tanker operations preferred.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, implement and improve the SMS per ISM Code.
• Monitor SMS effectiveness on all managed vessels.
• Ensure safety and environmental policies are followed onboard.
• Review and update SMS manuals, procedures and forms.
• Coordinate compliance with ISM/ISPS/MARPOL/SOLAS/MLC requirements.
• Plan and coordinate internal and external ISM audits.
• Support Masters and crews in safety and regulatory matters.
• Report on safety KPIs, incidents, and non-conformities.

Skills

Maritime operations

SMS management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Incident investigation

English fluency

Education

Maritime qualification or degree

Job description

Position Summary

The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is responsible for maintaining effective communication between the vessels and shore-based management and for monitoring the safe and environmentally responsible operation of vessels under the Company's management.

The DPA shall have direct access to the highest level of management and shall ensure that adequate resources and shore-based support are available to vessels whenever required.

The position plays a key role in maintaining and continuously improving the Company's Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, applicable flag-state requirements, classification society requirements, MARPOL, SOLAS and other relevant international maritime regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Management System (SMS)

• Maintain, implement and continuously improve the Company's Safety Management System in accordance with the ISM Code.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the SMS onboard all managed vessels.
• Ensure Company policies relating to safety, pollution prevention and environmental protection are properly implemented onboard.
• Review and update SMS manuals, procedures, checklists and forms when required.
• Ensure amendments to applicable maritime regulations are incorporated into Company procedures.
• Monitor vessel compliance with Company procedures and statutory requirements.

Vessel Safety & Compliance

• Monitor the safety and pollution-prevention aspects of vessel operations.
• Maintain regular communication with Masters and senior officers regarding safety and operational matters.
• Ensure vessels maintain required statutory and class certificates.
• Monitor deficiencies, observations and non-conformities raised during inspections, audits and surveys.
• Ensure corrective and preventive actions are implemented within agreed deadlines.
• Escalate serious safety or compliance concerns directly to senior management.

ISM / ISPS / MLC Compliance

• Coordinate compliance with applicable requirements under:
• ISM Code
• ISPS Code
• SOLAS
• MARPOL
• STCW
• MLC 2006
• Flag State requirements
• Port State Control requirements
• Classification Society requirements
• Liaise with Flag Administrations, Recognized Organizations, Classification Societies and relevant authorities as required.

Audits and Inspections

• Plan and coordinate internal ISM audits of vessels and shore organization.
• Coordinate external ISM audits and DOC/SMC verification.
• Assist vessels in preparation for Port State Control, Flag State and Class inspections.
• Review inspection and audit findings.
• Maintain a tracking system for observations, deficiencies and non-conformities.
• Verify effective closure of corrective actions.
• Conduct or participate in vessel visits and onboard inspections when required.

Master & Crew Support

• Maintain effective communication with Masters regarding safety and compliance matters.
• Ensure Masters have direct access to the DPA whenever necessary.
• Support Masters in exercising their overriding authority regarding safety of life, vessel and environment.
• Monitor safety‑related crew concerns and ensure appropriate shore‑side response.
• Coordinate with Crewing and Marine departments regarding competency, familiarization and training requirements.

Regulatory Monitoring

The DPA shall monitor relevant regulatory developments and advise management and vessels regarding changes affecting fleet operations.

This includes monitoring requirements issued by IMO, Flag Administrations, Classification Societies, Port State Control regimes and other competent maritime authorities.

Reporting

The DPA shall provide management with regular reports covering, as applicable:

• Fleet safety performance
• Incidents and near misses
• PSC/Flag/Class deficiencies
• Internal and external audit findings
• Open non-conformities
• Corrective-action status
• Vessel inspection results
• Safety KPIs
• Regulatory developments
• Significant operational risks

Any serious deficiency presenting an immediate risk to the vessel, crew or environment shall be reported to senior management without delay.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• Relevant maritime qualification or degree.
• Strong knowledge of the ISM Code and international maritime regulations.
• Practical experience in ship operations, marine safety or ship management.
• Experience with tanker operations is strongly preferred.
• Good understanding of SOLAS, MARPOL, ISPS, MLC and STCW requirements.
• Experience dealing with Flag States, Classification Societies and Port State Control.
• Strong understanding of incident investigation and root-cause analysis.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Strong reporting, communication and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master Mariner (Unlimited) / Chief Engineer CoC or equivalent senior maritime qualification.
• Previous sailing experience on oil/product/chemical tankers.
• Previous experience as DPA, Marine Superintendent, Marine Manager or similar shore‑based position.
• ISM/ISPS/MLC Internal Auditor qualification.
• Experience with tanker vetting and industry inspection regimes.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and professional judgment.
• Ability to challenge unsafe practices regardless of operational or commercial pressure.
• Strong understanding of tanker safety.
• High attention to regulatory compliance.
• Effective communication with Masters and senior officers.
• Ability to manage emergency situations calmly and effectively.
• Strong analytical and investigation skills.
• Ability to identify systemic risks rather than only individual deficiencies.
• Strong documentation and reporting discipline.