ISM Flashcards
What is the ISM code?
The International Safety Management (ISM) code was proposed by the IMO after the tragedy of the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987. Adopted in 1995 under SOLAS as chapter IX and came into effect in 2002. It is a framework code which sets minimum international standard for the safe management and operation of ships. Applies to all passenger vessels regardless of size. All other vessels over 500GT.
The vessel must have an appointed safety management company, who in turn will appoint a designated person ashore. The safety management company will define a safety and environmental protection policy which outlines the objectives of the company and how they will be achieved. The means by which the policy will be implemented is the Safety Management System. The master has an obligation to implement the Safety Management System onboard and retains overriding authority.
The auditing procedure consists of a systematic observation of the implementation of the safety management system against the company policies and the flag state requirements. The vessel will be audited annually by the company and will undergo initial, intermediate and renewal audits form the flag state. The company will be audited annually by flag state. Upon satisfactory compliance, the company will hold a document of compliance. The Vessel will hold a safety management certificate.
What does ISM mean to you?
It is an extremely effective and thorough system to ensure that people are aware of their responsibilities, the proper procedures are followed, that any discrepancies or deficiencies in that regard are either raised through appropriate lines of communication or identified during the audit process, leading to appropriate corrective action, thus preventing human injury or loss of life, pollution of the marine environment or damage to marine property. This process provides an element of satisfaction which contributes towards the development of safety culture onboard.
What is an SMS?
A structured and documented system enabling Company personnel to implement effectively the Company safety and environmental protection policy and ensure such policy is maintained at all levels of the organisation both onboard as well as shore based. It should include:
• procedures to ensure compliance with relevant international and flag State legislation
• defined levels of authority and lines of communication between personnel
• procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities
• procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency situations
• procedures for internal audits and management reviews
What is contained in a safety and environmental protection policy?
A policy which sets out the objectives of the Safety management company and describes how the following objectives will be achieved.
• provide for safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment;
• assess all identified risks and establish appropriate safeguards;
• continuously improve safety management skills of personnel ashore and aboard ships
What are the Responsibilities of the Master under ISM?
- Implementing the safety and environmental protection policy of the Company;
- Motivating the crew in the observation of that policy; Lead by example.
- Issuing appropriate orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner; (Standing orders)
- Observe any requirements
- Reporting its deficiencies to the shore-based management.
- Periodically reviewing the safety management system (once per year)
How would you motivate the crew?
- Lead by example.
- Be fully conversant with the SMS
- Ensure that the relevant personnel are fulfilling their duties by conducting a sampling process
- Provide guidance and assistance where necessary
- Carry out inspections and walkarounds
- Put safety in the centre of all activities to be undertaken.
- Participate in drills and training.
- Allow personnel the room to carry out their duties, not micromanage.
What are the responsibilities of the company under ISM?
- The Company should define and document the responsibility, authority and interrelation of all personnel who manage, perform and verify work relating to and affecting safety and pollution prevention.
- The Company is responsible for ensuring that adequate resources and shore based support are provided to enable the designated person or persons to carry out their functions
What are the shoreside considerations under the ISM code?
DPA must ensure that the SMS meets the requirement of the ISM code. Must take into account the following requirements:
• Management company policies are met
• Flag state requirements (Also prescribed by the ISM code)
• Classification society requirements
• Underwriter requirements. Insurance.
• Port state control. Requirements of the sovereign state of the relevant territorial waters
• Maritime Accident Investigation Branch
What is the role of the DPA?
A person ashore having direct access to the highest level of management acting as a link between the company and those on board. Responsible for monitoring the safety and pollution prevention aspects of the operation of each ship and to ensure that adequate resources and shore-based support are applied, as required. The contact details of the DPA must be made available.
What are Classification societies? Which classification societies are recognised by the UK?
A classification society is a non-governmental organization that establishes technical standards for the construction and operation of ships and offshore structures. Classification societies certify that the construction of a vessel comply with relevant standards and carry out regular surveys in service to ensure continuing compliance. • Lloyds • Bureau Veritas • Der Norske Veritas Germanischer Lloyd • RINA • NK Class • American Bureau of shipping
What is the relation between the classification society and the flag state?
Classification societies can issue certificates on behalf of the flag state if the standards are equivalent to those of the flag state.
Why would you get certified by class?
TBD
What are the main international conventions?
SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, Loadline, Tonnage, MLC
What is the difference between flag state and port state?
enforces laws and regulations to ensure the safety of life at sea, protection of the marine environment, and compliance with minimum international standards.
• Responsible to carry out surveys and audits of vessels
• Responsible to investigate accidents and incidents
Port state. Representative of the sovereign state in which territory the vessel is in. Uses local laws to enforce minimum international standards as defined by the convention.
• Responsible for carrying out inspections to enforce minimum international standards
• Withing the territorial waters there may be additional laws in addition to the minimum international standards
What underwriting is compulsory?
- 3rd party liability. Under the P&I convention. Liability insurance to be able to pay 3rd parties.
- Bunker oil pollution damage insurance. Under Bunkers convention. Compulsory for vessels over 1000 GT.
- Wreck removal insurance. Under Nairobi wreck removal convention. All vessels over 300 GT.
- Ship owner liability under MLC
- Seafarer repatriation under MLC
What are P&I clubs?
A Protection and Indemnity or P&I club is a mutual or cooperative association of shipowners and charterers, owned and controlled by the insured shipowner or charterer “Members”. They operate on a non-profit mutual basis, that is to say the Members pool their resources together in order to meet losses suffered by each individual Member.
What is the MAIB?
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is a UK government organisation, authorised to investigate all maritime accidents in UK waters and accidents involving UK registered ships worldwide. It´s objectives are:
• Cary out investigations to determine the cause of marine accidents
• Publish reports which include recommendations on improving safety
• Increase awareness as to how accidents happen, preventing reocurrance
• Improve national and local cooperation on marine accident investigations
• Not for apportioning blame or liability but to establish facts. (Mature organisation)
How do you report to MAIB? What is contained on the form?
Fill out the ARF. Give them a call. • Contact details/ Vessel details / Company details. • Occurrence details and description • Voyage data • Consequences • Injuries and fatalities
What is the audit procedure for ISM?
An audit is a systematic observation of the SMS implementation against agreed flag state and company defined standard.
The Company should carry out internal safety audits on board and ashore at intervals not exceeding twelve months to verify the implementation of the SMS
The flag state administration must carry out initial, renewal and Intermediate verification audits between the 2nd and 3rd anniversary.
What is the audit procedure when initially implementing the ISM?
Prior to entering service, an initial survey is carried out by flag state administration. Upon confirming that a safety management company has been appointed and a SMS is in place, flag state will issue an interim safety management certificate valid for nor more than 6 months.
Following a minimum period of 3 months, an initial audit is undertaken by flag state to verify implementation of the SMS. Upon satisfactory completion of the audit, flag state will issue a safety management certificate valid for 5 years.
How would you prepare for an ISM audit onboard?
- Internal audits by safety management company
- Ensure certificates are in order
- Ensure planned maintenance is up to date
- Ensure Safety management System is well implemented
- Carry out drills and training as appropriate
- Ensure paperwork is up to date
What would you expect during an ISM audit?
- Surveyor/Auditor will come onboard for a day
- Representative of the safety management company sometimes would be present
- Check vessel certification is in order
- Check crew certification is in order and minimum safe manning is met
- Ensure the SMS is implemented effectively
- Ensure planned maintenance of equipment
- Check paperwork is in order (Official logbook, crew lists)
- Check Nautical charts and publications are in compliance with carriage requirements and are updated
- Assess level of crew knowledge in regard to safety. (Interview junior crewmembers)
- Ask the crew to carry out a drill
How can the findings during an ISM/ISPS/MLC audit be classified?
Observation. An observation means a statement of fact made during a safety management audit and substantiated by objective evidence. Requires minimal action to rectify.
Non-conformity. A non-conformity means an observed situation where objective evidence indicates the non-fulfilment of a specified requirement of the ISM Code. A non-conformity should be normally closed out within three months from the date of the audit.
Major non-conformity. A major non-conformity means an identifiable deviation which poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel, the ship or to the environment that requires immediate corrective action or the lack of effective and systematic implementation of a requirement of the ISM Code.
A deficiency is a fault with the vessel, equipment or paperwork.
What Certification is required by the ISM code?
Document of Compliance. Serves as evidence that the company is capable of complying with the requirements of the ISM code. Issued by the flag state administration. Valid for a period specified by the Administration which should not exceed five years. Subject to annual verification by the Administration. Valid only for the ship types explicitly indicated on the document. A copy of the document of compliance should be kept onboard the ship.
Safety Management Certificate. Issued after verifying that the Company and its shipboard management operate in accordance with the approved safety management system. Such a certificate should be accepted as evidence that the ship is complying with the requirements of the ISM code. Issued to a ship for a period which should not exceed five years by the Administration. subject to at least one intermediate verification by the Administration between the second and third anniversary date of the Certificate
All other certificates must be valid
