The ISM Code provides safety management objectives for shipping companies including providing safe ship operations and work environments, assessing risks to ships and the environment, and improving safety skills. The objectives of the Code are to ensure safety at sea and prevent human injury, loss of life, and environmental damage. The designated person in a company monitors safety and pollution prevention activities on each ship, including communications, audits, and ensuring resources. A Safety Management Certificate and Document of Compliance can be issued when a company operates according to an approved safety management system. Non-conformities are situations where requirements are not fulfilled, and major non-conformities pose serious threats, require immediate action, or show a lack of implementing the Code's requirements.
2. Safety ManagementSafety Management
ObjectivesObjectives
(A) Safety management objectives of the Company
should:
1)Provide for safe practices in ship operation and a
safe working environment;
2)Assess all identified risks to its ships, personnel and
the environment and establish appropriate
safeguards; and
3)Continuously improve safety management skills of
personnel ashore and aboard ships, including
preparing for emergencies related both to safety and
environmental protection.
3. Objectives of the CodeObjectives of the Code
(B) 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.
4. Designated PersonDesignated Person
(C) The designated person should verify and monitor all
safety and pollution prevention activities in the operation
of each ship. This monitoring should include, at least,
the following internal processes:
.1 communication and implementation of the safety
and environmental protection policy;
.2 evaluation and review of the effectiveness of the
safety management system;
.3 reporting and analysis of non-conformities,
accidents and hazardous occurrences;
.4 organizing and monitoring of internal audits;
.5 appropriate revisions to the SMS; and
.6 ensuring that adequate resources and shore
based support are provided.
5. Safely Management CertificateSafely Management Certificate
(D) Safely Management Certificate means:
a document issued to a ship which signifies that
the Company and its shipboard management
operate in accordance with the approved safety
management system.
Document of Compliance means: a document
issued to a Company which complies with the
requirements of this Code.
7. Major non-conformityMajor non-conformity
(F) Major non-conformity means:
� an 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.