Marex, the leading Aberdeen-based risk consultancy, today announced the successful completion of a tailored Marine Safety Management System (MSMS) for the Northern Lighthouse Board’s (NLB) operational hub in Oban.
The four-month project ensured that the maritime organisation was able to confidently report its compliance for the 2026 Port and Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) reporting window, backed by robust and verifiable evidence.
As the General Lighthouse Authority for the waters surrounding Scotland and the Isle of Man, NLB manages 208 lighthouses and 174 buoys.
Recent updates to the PMSC extended its scope, introducing stricter compliance requirements for smaller marine facilities like the Oban base. To meet the early 2026 reporting deadline, NLB required a dedicated system to consolidate, clarify and evidence its safety procedures without disrupting daily operations.
Marex was chosen for its deep regulatory expertise and pragmatic approach. Beginning with an external audit against the PMSC guide to good practice, the consultancy established a clear baseline. The team then developed a tailored MSMS that mapped and cross-referenced existing documentation from wider corporate systems, avoiding duplication while establishing a streamlined framework.
Where operational gaps were identified, such as the absence of a specific Marine Safety Plan, Marex worked closely with NLB’s Marine Operations Manager to design practical, proportionate new procedures.
“This project is a great example of how we help clients cut through complexity,” said Wayne Henderson, managing director of Marex.
“By combining technical expertise with a practical approach, we were able to create a system that genuinely works for the client — not just on paper, but operationally.”
The resulting system provides clear assurance for external regulators like the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, while establishing a foundation for continuous improvement through an ongoing internal audit framework.
Learn how Marex can support your organisation in achieving and maintaining marine safety compliance:
👉 https://www.mmass.co.uk/expertise/maritime