ISM

• The International Safety Management (ISM) code is a management code that enables to maintain high standard of safety & environmental protection. 
• The purpose of this code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships & for pollution prevention.

The objectives of the ISM code are as follows:

• To provide standards for safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment
• To access all identified risks to the ship, personnel, and environment
• To continuously improve the safety management skills of personnel ashore and onboard ship
• To prepare the personnel for emergencies related both to safety and environmental protection

Document of Compliance (DOC)

• A Document of Compliance (DOC) is issued to a company based on the type of ship that the company operates.
• A DOC is specific to the ship’s type that the company operates and for which the SMS is implemented at the time of audit.
• .The DOC is issued to the company when shoreside aspects of the safety management system are complied as per the ISM code.
• In case of a newly built shipping company or a new type of ship is added, the company shall undergo an initial audit within the validity period of interim DOC i.e. 12 months.
• A short-term DOC is issued on the day of audit on completion of the initial audit process, whose validity is 5 months.
• The DOC is then issued by flag state governments like DGS in India on successful fulfillment of initial audit or interim DOC requirement.
• It is issued after at least three months of implementation of SMS at the company.
• The validity of DOC after an initial audit is five years and is subject to an annual audit.
• If a major non-conformity is found in the audit, the DOC is withdrawn.

Safety Management System Certificate (SMC)

• A Safety Management System Certificate (SMC) is issued to each individual ship that are owned/operated by company holding a main DOC, Interim DOC or short term DOC.
• Each individual ship must have a SMS which ensures that it complies with the safety management based on ISM
• .The SMC is issued to the ship when ship side aspects of the safety management system are complied as per the ISM code.
• In case of a newly built ship or change in management company of ship, the ship shall undergo an initial audit within the validity period of interim SMC i.e. 6 months.
• A short-term SMC is issued on the day of audit on completion of the initial audit process, whose validity is 5 months.
• The SMC is then issued by flag state governments like DGS in India on successful fulfillment of initial audit or interim SMC requirement.
• The validity of SMC after an initial audit is five years and is subject to an intermediate audit.
• If a major non-conformity is found in the audit, the SMC & DOC are withdrawn.
• The original SMC is kept on ship and copy is kept on company

• The Safety Management System is the core requirement for the implementation of the ISM Code
• The Safety Management System should ensure:      a) the compliance of mandatory rules and regulations              b) the codes, guidelines & standards recommended by the organization, administration, and classification societies are taken into account
• It aims to ensure that safety is secured, humans are protected from injury and harm, and the environment and property are not damaged.

• ISM code requires the company to nominate a designated person who will be a link between ship and shore
• A DPA should have access to the highest level of management
• A DPA is responsible for monitoring the safety and pollution prevention aspect of the operation of each ship
• A DPA is responsible for ensuring the adequate resources and shore based support

• Issues with any MARPOL or safety equipment
• The superintendent is unable to provide shore servicing of the equipment
• The master finds the ship is not seaworthy
• The master feels any commercial pressure, which may be unsafe for the ship
• All the cases where the Master has to use his over-riding authority