HERMANN BUSS GMBH & CIE

A GUIDE ON THE I.S.M. CODE.

WHAT IS THE ISM CODE?

The I. S. M. Code is the standard for establishing a system for the

SAFE management and operation of vessels and for
POLLUTION PREVENTION.

This System will have to be approved by the Flag Administration

or an organisation recognised by it, then a Certificate is issued.
Think of it as a license to be a ship operator.

YOUR COMPANY WILL HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED.

For the first time in history, the Company ashore (the Office not just the ship)
has to be approved and have a Certificate.
Like the license an airline needs to be an aircraft operator.

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THERE ARE AT LEAST 4 REASONS

TO ADOPT THE I. S. M. CODE.

1) IT MAKES YOUR SHIP A SAFER PLACE TO WORK.

It provides for safe working practices and develops a safe working
environment on board your ship.

2) IT PROTECTS THE SEA AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

3) IT CLEARLY DEFINES YOUR JOB

And therefore it makes it easy for you.

4) IT IS THE LAW
Chapter IX of SOLAS 74 requires compliance to the I. S. M. Code.
It is therefore mandatory.
Deadline for Tankers, Bulk Carriers and Passenger ships
Is not later than 1st July 1998.
For all other ships 1st July 2002.

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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SEAFARER

The seafarers are very important in working with the system.

They are the ones who make it work.

They are the users of the system.

Their participation and involvement is required during the development and

implementation stage.

Your Company NEEDS you.

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I. S. M. CODE REQUIREMNTS.
The I. S. M. Code is divided in 13 Sections.

SECTION 1.
‘GENERAL’.
An introduction to the general purpose of the Code and its objectives.

SECTION 2.
‘SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION POLICY’.
The Company must put in writing its POLICY on the safety and the protection
of the marine environment and make sure that everyone knows about it and
follows it.

SAFETY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICY

It is the Policy of the Company to

enhance Safety on board managed
vessels by introducing a Safety
Management System.

SECTION 3.
‘COMPANY’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES’.
The Company must have sufficient and suitable people, in the office and on
board, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities (who is responsible foe
what).

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MANAGEMENT

DESIGNATED PERSON

FINANCE TECHNCAL MARINE

CREW OPERATIONS

REPAIRS & SPARES

MAINTENANCE

MASTER

SECTION 4.

‘DESIGNATED PERSON ASHORE’.

The Company must appoint a person in the office responsible for monitoring
all SAFETY matters of the vessels.

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SECTION 5.
‘MASTER’S RESPONSIBILITY & AUTHORITY’.
The Master is responsible to make the System work on board. He must help
his crew in following the System and give them instructions when necessary.

The Master is the boss on the ship and he can override the office on
‘SAFETY’ and ‘POLLUTION PREVENTION’ matters.

I
THE
BOS

SECTION 6.
‘RESOURSES AND PERSONNEL’.
The Company must employ the ‘right’ people on board and in the office and
make sure that all of them:
• Know what their duties are,
• Receive instructions on how to carry out their duties,
• Get trained when and if necessary.

SECTION 7.
‘DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS FOR SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS’.

‘Plan what you do – Do what you plan’

You need to plan your work on the ship and follow your plan when working.

SECTION 8.
‘EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS’.
You should prepare for the unexpected (emergency). It can happen any time.
The Company should develop plans for responding to emergency situations
on board its vessels and practice them.

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LOWER
THE BOAT
AS PER
THE
MANUAL!!!

SECTION 9.
‘REPORTS AND ANALYSIS OF NON-CONFORMITIES, ACCIDENTS AND
HAZARDOUS OCCURANCES’.
No person or system is perfect. The good thing about this System is that gives
you a way to correct it and improve it. When you find something wrong
(including accidents and hazardous situations), report it. It will be analysed
and the whole System can be improved.

SECTION 10.
‘MAINTENANCE OF THE SHIP AND EQUIPMENT’.
The vessel and its equipment must be maintained in a good condition. You
should always comply with the rules and regulations. Always maintain and
frequently test those pieces of equipment important for your SAFETY. Keep
records of the work carried out.

NO JOB IS FINISHED IF THE

PAPERWORK IS NOT DONE.

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SECTION 11.
‘DOCUMENTATION’.
Your working System (Safety Management System-SMS) must be put in
writing (documented), and controlled. Such documents must be available both
in the office and on the vessels. You must also control all your paperwork
related to the System.
(Records and Forms).

SECTION 12.
‘COMPANY VERIFICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION’.
The Company must have its own internal methods for making sure that the
System works and is improving.
WE MUST IMPROVE
OUR SMS THROUGH
CO-OPERATION

SECTION 13.
‘CERTIFICATION, VERIFICATION AND CONTROL’.
The flag Administration or an organisation recognised by it, will have to send
External Auditors to check the Company’s System in the office and on board
each ship,
After it has satisfied itself that the System is working, the flag Administration
will issue a Document of Compliance for the Company (DOC)
and a Safety Management Certificate for each vessel (SMC)

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ISM ISM ISM

DOCUMENT OF
SAFETY MANAGEMENT SAFETY MANAGEMENT
COMPLIANCE
CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE

(COMPANY)
(VESSEL) (VESSEL)

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