Lecture - ISM Code and Its Implementation
Lecture - ISM Code and Its Implementation
implementation
Kazi Murad Hossain
Assistant Professor, Law Discipline
Khulna University, Khulna.
What is ISM
• ISM is the short form of International Safety Management , initiated by IMO.
ISM code means International Safety management code for safe operation ships &
for pollution prevention.
• SOLAS (“Safety Of Life At Sea” Convention) chapter 9 outlined ISM procedures.
• Majority of accidents and injury are caused by human error & poor management.
ISM is organized mainly to reduce this error.
• ISM is meant for standard of safety & operation of ships and for pollution
prevention. Become mandatory for all vessels after 1 JULY 2002
Cont…
• In other words, it can be also highlighted that the ISM Code Shipping is an intrinsic
part of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in its efforts to ensure,
maintain and effectuate safety for the seafarers as well as simultaneously providing a
pollution-free zone for the sector entirely.
• It can be said that the code focuses on bringing the aspect of marine safety to a
common platform for vessels of all nationalities. This eliminates any discrepancies
that could arise about the maintenance of a much-needed safety protocol.
What are the benefits gained from ISM ?
• Safety consciousness
• Safety culture
• Greater confidence
• Favourable insurance premium
• Cost saving
Objectives of ISM
• The objectives of the ISM Code are to:
• Ensure safety at sea;
• Prevent human injury or loss of life; and
• Avoid damage to the environment with focus on the marine environment and on property The ISM
Code establishes the following safety management objectives of the company:
• Provide safe practices in ship operation and working environment;
• Establish safeguards against all identified risks; and
• Continuously improve safety management skills of personnel ashore and onboard ships. These skills
include the preparation for emergencies related to safety and environmental protection.
Cont…
• The new chapter IX to SOLAS 1974, Management for the Safe Operation of
Ships requires compliance of Passenger Vessels and high speed Passenger
Craft over 500 GRT by 1 July 1998.
• Oil Tankers, Cargo high speed craft, Chemical Tankers, Gas Carriers and
Bulk Carriers to comply by 1 July 1998.
• Other Cargo ships and mobile Offshore drilling rigs of over 500 GRT to
comply by 1 July 2002.
Certification:
• The application of the code will lead to the issue of two certificates :
• The Document Of Compliance (DOC)
• The Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
The Document Of Compliance (DOC)
Issued to company which comply with the requirement of ISM.
i) will be issued to the company following a successful audit of the shore side aspects
of the Safety Management System
ii) evidence required that the system as been in operation on at least one type of ship in the
companies fleet for a period of three months.
iii) Specific to ship types at time of audit
iv) valid for 5 years
v) subject to annual verification ( within 3 months of anniversary date)
The Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
Issued to the ship. Which company ship board management operate in accordance with the SMS.
ii) evidence that SMS has been in operation for 3 months prior to audit
• Issuing authority of DOC & SMC: Flag state administration or authorized classification
societies on their behalf.
SMS - Safety management system enabling the company personal to effectively implement
company safety & environment protection policy.
DPA means Designated Person Ashore. A person who is provides a link between the
company & the ship. He has a direct assess to the highest level of management.
Duties of DPA
1. Monitoring the safety & pollution prevention aspect of ship & to ensure adequate resources
& shore base support for ship.
2. A person or persons who has direct access to the highest levels of management providing a
link between the company and those on board.
The responsibility and authority of the designated person is to provide for the safe operation
of the vessels. He should monitor the safety and pollution prevention aspects of the operation
of each vessel and ensure their are adequate shore side resources and support
Emergency Preparedness
• The company should establish procedures for the response actions to potential emergency
situations. Programmes for drill should be established and measures taken to ensure that the
company's organisation can respond to hazards and accidents.
• Reports and analysis of non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences
• The company should ensure there is a procedure for the reporting and analysis of accidents,
hazardous occurrences and non-conformities, and for the corrective action. Maintenance of
the ship and equipment
Cont…
• The company is to ensure that the vessel is properly maintained. Procedures
within the SMS should be in place to identify, record and plan for repair
defects. A system of preventive maintenance should be in operation.
• Regular inspections integrated with the ships operational maintenance
routine should take place to ensure that the vessel is in compliance with
relevant regulations.
Requirements of Safety Management
System (SMS)
• The ISM Code requires every Company to develop, implement and maintain a
safety management system (SMS) which includes these functional requirements:
• A safety and environmental protection policy;
• Instructions and procedures to ensure safe operation of ships, and protection of the
environment, in compliance with relevant international and flag State legislation;
• Defined levels of authority and lines of communication between, and amongst, shore and
shipboard personnel;
• Procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities with the provisions of this Code;
• Procedures to prepare and respond to emergency situations; and
• Procedures for internal audits and management reviews
Safety Management System Manual consists of
the following elements: