International Safety Management (ISM) Code

The ISM Code mandates that ship operators implement a Safety Management System (SMS), which includes procedures for safe ship operation and a systematic approach to managing safety and environmental protection. The SMS must be documented and verified through audits to ensure compliance with the ISM Code’s requirements. Seafarers play a vital role in maintaining and adhering to the SMS, ensuring that safety and environmental standards are upheld at all times. SMS differs from ship to ship and there are specific procedures and policy that need to be followed. Here we provide three essential knowledge areas:

Incident reporting:

Seafarers must promptly report any incidents, near-misses, or non-conformities as per the Safety Management System (SMS) procedures. They must ensure that corrective actions are taken and documented to prevent recurrence.

Safety meetings:

Participation in regular safety meetings is mandatory, where seafarers review safety policies, discuss recent incidents, and propose safety improvements.

SMS documentation:

Seafarers must be familiar with accessing and using the SMS manual, which includes emergency procedures, safety responsibilities, and ship-specific operational guidelines.