ISM Code

Question 1

What is the ISM Code?

Answer 1

The International management code for the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention

Question 2

What is a Safety Management System?

Answer 2

A structured and documented system enabling company personnel to effectively implement the company’s safety and environmental protection policy

Question 3

What are the objectives of the ISM Code?

Answer 3

1. To ensure safety at sea
2. To prevent injury or loss of life
3. Avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular the marine environment and property.

Question 4

Who does the ISM Code apply to?

Answer 4

All Passenger ships

All other ships over 500gt

Question 5

What are the safety management system objectives?

Answer 5

1. Provide for safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment
2. Risk assess all vessel activities and establish safeguards
3. Continuously improve safety training and safety awareness including emergency preparedness

Question 6

What are the 6 functional requirements of an SMS?

Answer 6

1. Provide a safety and environmental protection policy
2. Provide instruction and procedures to ensure safe operation of ships and protection of the environment in compliance with international and flag state legislation
3. Provide defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shore and shipboard personnel
4. Provide procedures for reporting accidents and non conformities with the provisions of this code
5. Provide procedures and prepare for responding to emergency situations
6. Provide procedures for internal audits and management reviews

Question 7

What are the masters responsibilities within the SMS?

Answer 7

1. Implementing the safety and environmental protection policy of the company
2. Motivating the crew in the observation of the company policy
3. Issuing appropriate orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner
4. Verifying that specified requirements are observed
5. Periodically reviewing the SMS and reporting deficiencies to shore based management

Question 8

What authority does the master have?

Answer 8

The overriding authority and the responsibility to make decisions with respect to safety and pollution prevention and to request the company’s assistance as may be necessary

Question 9

What are the 12 company responsibilities for the ISM code?

Answer 9

1. Designate a DPA
2. Ensure adequate resources and shore based support for the DPA
3. Define and document the masters responsibilities
4. Establish procedures for reporting and analysis of non conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences
5. Periodically evaluate effectiveness and review the SMS
6. Perform internal audits to verify whether SMS activities comply with the SMS requirements
7. Ensure ship is appropriately manned with trained and familiarised crew
8. Establish procedures, plans and instructions including checklists for shipboard operations concerning safety and environmental protection
9. Establish procedures for emergency response, training and drills.
10. Establish procedures to ensure the ship is maintained as per rules and regulations
11. Identify critical equipment and procedures for testing reliability and backup
12. Establish and maintain a system of document control of documents relevant to the SMS

Question 10

What certification is required for the ISM code?

Answer 10

Companies require a Document of compliance, a copy of which must be kept on the vessel and endorsed annually.

The vessel is issued with a Safety Management Certificate valid for 5 years

Question 11

What is a Non Conformity?

Answer 11

Observed situation where objective evidence indicates non fulfilment of a specified requirement

Question 12

What is a major non conformity?

Answer 12

Identifiable deviation that poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the ship or a serious risk to the environment that requires immediate corrective action, or the lack of effective and systematic implementation of a requirement of this code.

Question 13

How could the SMS be verified as working?

Answer 13

1. Take a day of operation and note the tasks completed.
2. Check whether there is a procedure for each task in the SMS and that it references any regulation, guideline or code.
3. Check a risk assessment was carried out and used for the task.
4. Check a review of the task was carried out and any findings from the review.
5. Check the system of reporting for any recent additions and close out procedures.
6. Check the company policies and procedures are posted and up to date.
7. Check the programme of drills and drill reports are written up.
8. Check internal audits and findings for close outs.