Quebec City's Chateau Frontenac provided a dramatic backdrop for the most recent meeting of the Coast Guard Vessel Support, Predictive Maintenance Co-ordinators.

The group, originally formed in 1987, and later identified as an element of National Maintenance Best Practices, meets regularly to share knowledge and develop standards for implementing condition-based maintenance plans for the fleet. The group's unofficial motto is "Inspect what you expect."

The September meeting was particularly notable because of the active interest and participation of members of the United States Coast Guard Engineering, Maintenance and Logistics Centers in Baltimore and Norfolk, Virginia. Our American counterparts provided insight into how they implement condition-based maintenance practices in their fleet to increase reliability and reduce maintenance costs.

In addition, Vessel Support Services provided a tour of the Martha L. Black. Many thanks to Laurentian Region for providing the necessary logistical support for the event.

In all, the get-together was a valuable learning experience for both countries, which plan further binational meetings to promote continued exchange of maintenance information.

Members of the Coast Guard Vessel Support, Predictive Maintenance Co-ordinators group and their American guests (from left to right): James Reid (Transport Canada), Wake Collins (Maritimes Region), Tom Moriarty (United States Coast Guard), Pierre Jean (Central and Arctic Region), Scott Atkinson (Newfoundland Region), Shawn Tibbs (Pacific Region), Paul Jamer (Design Maintenance Systems Inc.), Dave Kukurudziak (Headquarters), Timothy Curry (United States Coast Guard), Ian Campbell (Headquarters) and Gilbert Francoeur (Laurentian Region).

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