ISM Code All you should know about International Safety Management Code

From the ship’s point of view, we must ensure that we have correct DOC on board. Now even in the clear case of neglect on part of crew, in many cases the court has given the verdict against the ship owner. The company identification number is issued by IHS Maritime and trade on behalf of IMO. No ship can sail with an invalid or a missing statutory certificate. But as you would note that the report has a caveat which is “Where the ISM code had been embraced as a positive step“.

• 1.2.1 The objectives of the Code are to ensure safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss of life, and avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular, to the marine environment, and to property.
• The external audits are carried out by the classification bureau and a DOC is granted only if the conditions are met satisfactorily.
• Substantive compliance with the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code) is the responsibility of the shipowner and the ship manager to whom the shipowner has entrusted the ship.
• If you are a seafarers working at the sea, then you must know these six definitions which forms the main structure of the ISM code.
• This means that the superintendents of the vessel cannot carry out the internal audit of the vessels they are managing.
• Whereas ISM audit is not concerned about if the equipments are working.

This resolution was adopted on 1 January 2010, and the amendments entered into force on 1 July 2010. The Code was further amended in June 2013 by resolution MSC.353(92) and these amendments entered into force on 1 January 2015. In order to understand ISM, it is important to know definitions of a few important terms which determine the whole structure of IMO’s ISM code. If you are a seafarers working at the sea, then you must know these six definitions which forms the main structure of the ISM code. 1.1.3 “Administration” means the Government
of the State whose flag the ship is entitled to fly.

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Moreover, the company should also be committed in maintaining the integrity of the quality management system whenever changes to the quality management system are planned and implemented. The Company should establish procedures, plans and instructions, including checklists as appropriate, for key shipboard operations concerning the safety of the personnel, ship and protection of the environment. The various tasks should be defined and assigned to qualified personnel. The Code defines that ‘Company’ holds the responsibility to take over all duties imposed by the Code, incorporating SMS into normal business operations.

Moreover, the ISM code requires that the seafarers are also medically fit for the job. Another requirement of the ISM code is that all crew/personnel with duties related to safety and environment protection should be appropriately familiarized in order to ensure that the duties will be conducted on a safe and environmental friendly way. Such familiarization is usually conducted according to company developed forms as well as any training products that may be required according to company procedures. Needless to say that for all the above records are to be maintained. Both the ISM and ISO 9001 require that any mandatory requirements, laws and regulations are to be followed and implemented accordingly. If the owner is not responsible for the implementation of the code, he must inform the Flag State Administration (FSA) the name and details of the entity.

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Acquiring this certificate means that the ship is approved by the ISM and the company must abide by the rules of ISM-code. Out of all the codes, the code to develop and execute a Safety Management System (SMS) is the most important one. ISO’s 9001 requirements are similar although they are more generalized requiring also an evaluation on the effectiveness of actions taken and making personnel aware on how to contribute to quality objectives.

The ISM code and the ISO 9001 require a person ashore to be assigned with specific duties and responsibilities relevant to the implementation of their requirements. Thus, the ISM code requires a Designated Person Ashore (DPA) who ensures and monitors the safe operation of company ships providing links between the company and the crew onboard. The DPA is required to have direct access to the highest level of management. On the other hand the ISO 9001 standard requires the position of a Quality Management Representative who is to be assigned with the responsibility and authority to ensure that the quality management system processes are established, implemented and maintained.

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Whereas ISM audit is not concerned about if the equipments are working. It is more concerned about what procedures are followed if a safety equipment is not working. This actually is a good question and I will post a detailed answer sometime.

While surveying the in depth knowledge of regulations relating to the activity must be known. Personnel carrying out audits should be independent of the areas being audited unless this is impracticable what does ism stand for in the ism code due to the size and the nature of the Company. Thus, the lifeboat procedures or several checklists, etc. though part of the SMS may be made available in the crew mess room, recreation room, etc.

ISM Code – All you should know about International Safety Management Code

To ensure the safe operation of each ship and to provide a link between the Company and those on board, every Company, as appropriate, should designate a person or persons ashore having direct access to the highest level of management. The responsibility and authority of the designated person or persons should include monitoring the safety and pollution- prevention aspects of the operation of each ship and ensuring that adequate resources and shore-based support are applied, as required. Regarding human resources the ISM code states that the company should ensure that each ship is manned with seafarers who have the appropriate qualifications, certifications according to national and international requirements.

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ISM stands for International Safety Management

There are plenty of seafarers and shore staff who feel that ISM code has only brought more paper work and nothing else. The Code is expressed in broad terms so that it can have a widespread application. Clearly, different levels of management, whether shore-based or at sea, will require varying levels of knowledge and awareness of the items outlined.