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ISM Code Master’s Responsibility and Authority & Resources and Personnel - IMO ISM Code

Master’s Responsibility and Authority & Company Responsibilities for Resources and Personnel Including Review of the Safety Management System - Sections 5 and 6

International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) is the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, as adopted by the IMO assembly. Adopted in November 1993, the ISM Code came into force in July 1998. It is part of the SOLAS Chapter IX - Management for the Safe Operation of Ships. The latest amended version came into force on January 1, 2015.

The responsibility for overseeing and enforcing all applicable aspects of the Company’s SMS on the vessel rests with the Master. There must be a clear statement in the documentation system that the master has overriding authority to diverge from this in times of extremity and seek assistance from the company if required.

The company has a clear responsibility to employ medically fit and suitably qualified mariners and is satisfied that they're familiar with the system of management in operation. The manning of the vessel should cater to all onboard activities at sea.

The company must ensure that recently recruited mariners are familiar with their duties before embarking on an ocean passage. In addition, for all mariners, training conditions could be met by new training courses, refresher courses, and on-the-job training.

The SMS must adopt all national and international conventions, rules and regulations, industry guidelines and codes of practice. The SMS must be available to all personnel, both ashore and seagoing. Finally, the capability of crew members to communicate effectively is essential to the safety of the vessel and its crew.

Contents - Part A

Section 5 - Master's Responsibility and Authority
Section 6 - Resources and Personnel
MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.8 - Guidance on Qualifications, Training and Experience of the Personnel

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master personnel ism code

Responsibility and Authority of Master & Resources and Personnel

ISM Code Part A (Section 5) - Master's Responsibility and Authority

Section 5. Master's Responsibility and Authority

ISM Code Responsibility and Authority of Master

5.1 The Company should clearly define and document the master's responsibility with regard to:

.1 implementing the safety and environmental-protection policy of the Company;

.2 motivating the crew in the observation of that policy;

.3 issuing appropriate orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner;

.4 verifying that specified requirements are observed; and

.5 periodically reviewing the SMS and reporting its deficiencies to the shore-based management.

5.2 The Company should ensure that the SMS operating on board the ship contains a clear statement emphasizing the master's authority. The Company should establish in the SMS that the master has the overriding authority and the responsibility to make decisions with respect to safety and pollution prevention and to request the Company's assistance as may be necessary.

ISM Code Part A (Section 6) - Resources and Personnel

Section 6. Resources and Personnel

ISM Code Company Responsibility for Resources and Personnel

6.1 The Company should ensure that the master is:

.1 properly qualified for command;

.2 fully conversant with the Company's SMS; and

.3 given the necessary support so that the master's duties can be safely performed.

6.2 The Company should ensure that each ship is:

.1 manned with qualified, certificated and medically fit seafarers in accordance with national and international requirements; and

.2 appropriately manned in order to encompass all aspects of maintaining safe operation on board.*

* Refer to the Principles of minimum safe manning, adopted by the Organization by Resolution A.1047(27)

6.3 The Company should establish procedures to ensure that new personnel and personnel transferred to new assignments related to safety and protection of the environment are given proper familiarization with their duties. Instructions which are essential to be provided prior to sailing should be identified, documented and given.

6.4 The Company should ensure that all personnel involved in the Company's SMS have an adequate understanding of relevant rules, regulations, codes and guidelines.

6.5 The Company should establish and maintain procedures for identifying any training which may be required in support of the SMS and ensure that such training is provided for all personnel concerned.

6.6 The Company should establish procedures by which the ship's personnel receive relevant information on the SMS in a working language or languages understood by them.

6.7 The Company should ensure that the ship's personnel are able to communicate effectively in the execution of their duties related to the SMS.

ISM Code Guidance - Qualifications, Training and Experience

8. Guidance on Qualifications, Training and Experience

MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.8 Guidance on Qualifications, Training and Experience of the Personnel Associated with the Safety Management System (SMS)

The ISM Code requires the Company to ensure that all personnel involved in the Company's SMS have an adequate understanding of relevant rules, regulations, codes, guidelines. The Company should ensure that all personnel have the qualifications, training and experience that may be required in support of the SMS. All persons performing internal audits should have successfully completed a relevant auditor training course.

Disclaimer: For general information purpose only - please check IMO ISM Code & SOLAS Convention for the latest requirements and accurate info

LAST UPDATED ON Sep 26, 2022