ISM CODE FOR ALL LEVELS

SINGAPORE MARITIME ACADEMY

ISM IMPLEMENTATION

1 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH

MANDATORY RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATED
TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF SHIPS AND PROTECTION
OF THE ENVIRONMENT

2. HAS THE COMPANY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

APPLICABLE CODES, GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS
RECOMMENDED BY ORGANISATIONS,
ADMINISTRATIONS, CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES AND
MARITIME ORGANISATIONS.

3 IS THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

POLICY POSTED WHERE IT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO
ALL SHORBASED AND SHIPBASED PERSONNEL.

4 IS THE RESPONSIBILITY, AUTHORITY AND

INTEACTION BETWEEN PERSONNEL ASHORE AND
ONBOARD DEFINED AND KNOWN

5 IS THERE PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING ACCIDENTS,

NEAR MISSES AND NON-CONFORMITIES.

6 IS THERE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE

COMPANY AND EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLAN
FOR SHIPBOARD
IS THERE A PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFICATION OF
POTENTIAL RISK
IS THERE A PROCEDURE FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION

7 IS THERE A PROCEDURE TO CARRY OUT INTERNAL

AUDITS AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW BOTH ONBOARD
AND ASHORE

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8 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED A SAFETY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY AND DOES
THIS POLICY DESCRIBE HOW THE FOLLOWING
OBJECTIVES ARE TO BE MET:

(A) PREVENTION OF HUMAN INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE

(B) AVOIDANCE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE
AVOIDANCE TO DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

9 DOES THE MANNING COMPLY WITH THE ISM CODE,

COMPANY PROCEDURES AND LEGISLATION SUCH AS
STCW95

10 DOES THE COMPANY EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF

SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL WITH REGARD TO
COMPLIANCE WITH STCW 95

11 DOES THE COMPANY PROVIDE ADEQUATE

RESOURCES AND SHOREBASED SUPPORT FOR THE
DESIGNATED PERSON TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT
HIS FUNCTION

12 IS THE DESIGNATED PERSON QUALIFIED WITH

APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN
THE MARINE FIELD TO UNDERSTAND IF
PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES ARE CORRECTLY
FOLLOWED ONBOARD

13 DOES THE DESIGNATED PERSON MONITOR:

(A) REQUESTS FOR SPARE PARTS/STORES

(B) NON-CONFORMITY, NEAR MISS AND ACCIDENT
REPORTS
(C) TRAINING RECORD FORMS AND TRAINING
NEEDS
(D) ETC.

14 DOES THE DESIGNATED PERSON MAKE VISITS

ONBOARD SHIPS

15 HAS THE COMPANY TAKEN STEPS TO ENSURE THAT

THE MASTER UNDERSTANDS HIS RESPOSIBILITIES

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AND DUTIES AND HAS CARRIED THEM OUT

EFFECTIVELY

16 DOES THE MASTER IMPLEMENT THE SAFETY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY OF THE
COMPANY AND MOTIVATE THE CREW IN THE
OBSERVATION OF THE POLICY

17 DOES THE MASTER ISSUE APPROPRIATE ORDERS AND

INSTRUCTIONS IN A CLEAR AND SIMPLE MANNER.

18 DOES THE MASTER VERIFY THAT SPECIFIED

REQUIREMENTS ARE OBSERVED

MASTERS AND OFFICERS SHOULD COMPLETE THE

FOLLOWING CHECKLISTS:

(A) BRIDGE CHECKLISTS

(B) DECK AND ENGINE PRE-DEPARTURE
CHECKLISTS
(C) STEERING GEAR AND STOWAWAYS CHECKLISTS

19 DOES THE MASTER INFORM THE COMPANY

WHENEVER THERE ARE ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE
SMS RELEVANT TO THE SHIP’S OPERATION

20 HAS THE COMPANY MADE A STATEMENT THAT

CLEARLY STATES THE MASTER’S AUTHORITY IN THE
OPERATION OF SMS

21 HAS THE COMPANY ENSURED THAT THE MASTER IS

PROPERLY QUALIFIED FOR COMMAND

22 IS THE MASTER FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THE

COMPANY’S SMS

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23 DOES THE COMPANY PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORT

SUCH AS:

(A) RESPONDING TO IDENTIFIED DEFICIENCIES IN

THE SMS
(B) MAINTAINING REQUIRED COMPLEMENT AND
OBOARD EXPERTISE
(C) PROVIDING RESOURCES SO THAT THE
MASTER’S DUTIES CAN BE EASILY PERFORMED.

24 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE THAT THEIR SHIPS IS

PROPERLY MANNED WITH QUALIFIED, CERTIFIED
AND MEDICALLY FIT SEAFARERS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
REQUIREMENTS?

NOTE: ACCORDING TO THE STCW CODE EACH COMPANY

IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE FOLLOWING:

(A) APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATES ON BOARD ITS SHIPS

(B) MANNING LEVELS
(C) RECORD KEEPING (DOCUMENTATION AND DATA ON
ALL SEAFARERS TO BE MAINTAINED AND READILY
ACCESSIBLE- INCLUDING EXPERIENCE, TRAINING,
MEDICALLY FITNESS AND COMPETENCY IN
ASSIGNED DUTIES)
(D) SHIPBOARD FAMILIARISATION (SEAFARERS TO BE
MADE FAMILIAR WITH ARRANGMENTS ON BOARD,
EQUIPMENT, SHIPBOARD PROCEDURES AND
EMERGENCY DUTIES). THIS REQUIRES WRITTEN
INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COMPANY RELATING TO
THE FAMILIARISATION REQUIRED BEFORE TAKING
UP ASSIGNED DUTIES. SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL ARE
TO BE GIVEN AN APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY TO
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THEIR DUTIES, EQUIPMENT
AND OPERATING PROCEDURES.
(E) CREW COORDINATION (SHIP’S COMPLEMENT TO BE
ABLE TO CO-ORDINATE THEIR ACTIVITIES IN
EMERGENCIES, FUNCTIONS RELATIVE TO SAFETY
AND POLLUTION PREVENTION). CO-ORDINATION
ALSO MEANS COMMUNICATIONS AND USE OF
LANGUAGE IN NORMAL AND EMERGENCY

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SITUATIONS. THIS SHOULD BE TESTE DTHROUGH

DRILLS AND EXERCISES. IN ADDITION, THIS ASPECT
MAY BE TESTED BY PORT STATE CONTROL
INSPECTORS AND OTHERS.

25 DOES THE COMPANY MAINTAIN THE FOLLOWING

DOCUMENTATION, RECORDS AND CERTIFICATES OF
SEAFARERS THEY EMPLOY?

(A) SEAFARERS EXPERIENCE

(B) TRAINING RECEIVED BEFORE AND DURING
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY
- PERSONAL SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
- FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING
- ELEMENTARY FIRST AID
- MATTERS SUCH AS EMERGENCY PROCEDURES,
POLLUTION PREVENTION AND OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY
(C) MEDICAL FITNESS
(D) CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN ASSIGNED DUTIES.

26 ARE INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL PRIOR TO

SAILING DOCUMENTED?

- THE COMPANY SHOULD PROCIDE MASTERS OF ITS

SHIPS WITH WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING
THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEAFARERS
ASSIGNED TO THE SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE
FAMILIAR WITH THE SEPECIFIC EQUIPMENT AND
OPERATING PROCEDURES OF THE SHIP CONCERNED.
THESE WRITTEN PROCEDURES SHOULD COVER THE
DESIGNATION OF A RESPONSIBLE CREW MEMBER
WHO WILL ENSURE THAT SEAFARERS NEW TO THE
SHIP WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION IN A LANGUAGE
THAT THEY UNDERSTAND.

27 ARE THE CREW AND OFFICERS FAMILIARISED WITH

THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING
EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES?

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- FULL RECORDS SHOULD BE MANTAINED OF

PERSONNEL THAT HAVE COMPLETED SHIPBOARD
FAMILIARISATION.

28 ARE SPECIFIC FAMILIARISATION MEASURES

PROVIDED FOR NEW PERSONNEL OR NEWLY
ASSIGNED PERSONNEL BEFORE THEY ASSUME THEIR
NORMAL DUTIES

- FAMILIARISATION CAN BE DONE BY ONE OR MORE

METHODS, SUCH AS:
(A) ONBOARD VISUALS AND SUCH AS VIDEOS, MANUALS
AND OPERATING MANUALS
(B) ONBOARD SAFETY TALKS BY AN OFFICER
(C) SELF FAMILIARISATION DURING THE HAND-OVER
PERIOD
(D) SHORE SEMINARS SPOMSORED BY INDUSTRY OR
COMPANY

THE LEVEL OF DETAIL OF FAMILIARISATION WILL

DEPEND ON INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE AND TE JOB
REONSIBILITIES.

29 HAS THE COMPANY ENSURED THAT THE SHIPBOARD

PERSONNEL HAVE ADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF
RULES, REGULATIONS, CODES AND GUIDELINES?

- THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE A PLAN TO ENABLE

ALL SHIPBOARD AND SHOREBASED PERSONNEL TO
BE ADVISED OF CURRENT REQUIREENTS

EXAMPLES OF HOW SUCH INFORMATION CAN BE

PASSED ARE:

(A) PROVIDING WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS TO RELEVANT

SHIPBOARD PERSONNEL
(B) FORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICE
REPRESENTATIVES
(C) DETAILING REQUIREMENTS IN JOB DESRIPTION
(D) UP-TO-DATE LIBRARY LISTS (BOTH ONSHORE AND
SHIPBOARD)

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30 HAS THE COMPANY ENSURED THAT TRAINING IS

PROVIDED FOR ALL PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES
WITH THE SMS (BOTH SHOREBASED AND SHIPBOARD)

- THE COMPANY SHOULD IDENTIFY TRAINING NEEDS

AND THUS PROVIDE TRAINING.
TRAINING MAY BE SUPPLEMENTED BY USING VISUAL
AIDS SUCH AS VIDEOS, MANUALS AND OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS.

31 IS THERE A PROGRAM FOR DRILLS?

32 IS THERE ANY DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF DRILLS

AND EXERCISE IN RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS?

33 IS THERE A LIST OF CONTACTS IN THE HEAD-OFFICE

CONSTANTLY UP-DATED AND CO-ORDINATE WITH
THE SOPEP MANUALS?

34 CAN THE CREW UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE

WRITTEN IN THE PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS
ON THE SMS?
(NOTE: The Company should decide what SMS information is
relevant to the crew members (e.g. ratings need not be
provided with all SMS information)

The Company should also provide evidence that the shipboard

personnel have understood the relevant information.

35 ARE CREWMEMBERS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE

EFFECTIVELY WITH EACH OTHER IN ALL
SITUATIONS?
NOTE: The STCW Code requires Masters and Officers on ships of
greater than 500 grt to be competent in English. Hence the
Company should ensure that the ability to communicate is
verified on board the ship.

36 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR

THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND INSTRUCTIONS
FOR KEY SHIPBOARD OPERATIONS AND FOR THE

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ALLOCATION OF SPECIFIC TASKS TO SHIPBOARD

AND SHOREBASED PERSONNEL?

NOTE: The development of procedures should take into account

relevant international and national mandatory rules and
regulations and applicable codes, guidelines and standards for
the type of ship covered by the SMS. This information should
be kept updated by the Company to take into account its
operational experience.

* There should be a comprehensive list of applicable codes,

guidelines and standards specific to ship type.

* There should be evidence of a systematic review of mandatory

rules and regulations applicable to each ship type. The
evidence may include the existence of an appropriate library of
applicable rule and regulations.

* The Company should establish their own qualification

requirements for those who are responsible for the
development of plans, procedures and instructions for key
operations.

* The Company should verify that key operations are under

control by discussion with crewmembers.

37 HAS THE COMPANY DEVELOPED PROCEDURES FOR

IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL SHIPBOARD EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS?

NOTE: Emergency response procedures should be documented and

laid out in a way that is helpful to the Master and others in the
event of emergency.

38 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR

CONDUCTING EMERGENCY DRILLS AND EXERCISE?

Example: Lifeboat drills, Man overboard drill, Fire drill, Oil Spill
drill, Abandon ship drill, Helicopter rescue drill, etc.

39 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR

THE SHOREBASED EMERGENCY ORGANISATIONS?

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DO THE PROCEDURES INDICATE THE FOLLOWING:

(A) DEALING WITH MEDIA AND OTHER ENQUIRIES AND

CONTACTING NEXT OF KIN
(B) GUIDANCE ON THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND
COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE ORGANISTAIONS, AUTHORITIES AND
AGENCY
(C) SHOREBASED ORGANISTAION HAS ACCESS TO
SHIPBOARD CONTINGENCY PLANS AND RELEVANT
PLANS, DRAWINGS AND SHIP PARTICULARS

NOTE: The company should have available the shoreside

organisational structure, resources, means and procedures for
communications and resources for responding to a shipboard
emergency. A 24 hour contact should be available for
emergencies.

40 DOES THE COMPANY CARRY OUT ANY CORRECTIVE

ACTION IDENTIFIED BY ANALYSIS RELEVANT TO
NON-CONFORMITIES, ACCIDENTS AND NEAR MISSES
REPORTED BY MASTERS OR AUDITORS?

41 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR

ENSURING THAT THE SHIP IS MAINTAINED IN A
MANNER THAT SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF
SAFE AND POLLUTION FREE OPERATIONS?

NOTE: Objective evidence is necessary to confirm conformance with

established maintenance requirements.

42 DID THE COMPANY CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE

INSPECTIONS AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS?

43 DID THE VESSEL REPORT INFORMATION REGARDING

FAILURES, DAMAGES, DEFECTS AND MALFUNCTIONS
WITH POSSIBLE CAUSE, IF KNOWN?

NOTE: A system should be in place to notify appropriate personnel

both ashore and shipboard of any defects and possible cause.

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44 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE APPROPRIATE

CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO REDUCE
OR PREVENT RE-OCCURRENCE OF ANY
MAINTENANCE DEFECT?

45 ARE RECORDS OF INSPECTIONS, DAMAGE,

MAINTENANCE DEFECTS AND RELEVANT
CORRECTIVE ACTIOPN MAINTAINED?

46 HAS THE COMPANY DEVELOPED A PROCEDURE FOR

IDENTIFYING SHIPBOARD EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS,
WHOSE SUDDEN FAILURE CAN LEAD TO HAZARDOUS
SITUATIONS?

47 IS THERE A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR THE

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY LISTED UNDER 46 TO
PROMOTE THE RELIABILITY?

NOTE: The testing and maintenance of stand-by equipment and

inactive systems should be part of the company maintenance
plan.

48 ARE THE DOCUMENTS AND DATA RELEVANT TO THE

COMPANY’S SMS PROPERLY CONTROLLED?

EXAMPLES OF DOCUMENTS/DATA:
(A) DRAWINGS, CHARTS AND NAVIGATIONAL
PUBLICATIONS
(B) INSTRUCTIONS MANUALS
(C) PURCHASING DOCUMENTATION
(D) SMS MANUAL

49 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE THAT VALID

DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL RELEVANT
LOCATIONS?
50 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE THAT DOCUMENT
CHANGES ARE PROPERLY REVIEWED AND APPROVED
BY AUTHORISED PERSONNEL?

51 DOES THE COMPANY ENSURE THAT ABSOLETE

DOCUMENTS ARE PROMPTLY REMOVED?

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52 ARE RELEVANT SMS MANUALS AVAILABLE

ONBOARD?

53 DOES THE COMPANY CONDUCT REGULAR INTERNAL

AUDITS?

54 DOES THE COMPANY CARRY OUT MANAGEMENT

REVIEW (WHICH INCLUDES MASTER’S REVIEWS,
RESULTS OF INTERNAL AUDITS,
ANALYSIS/INVESTIGATION RESULTS OF ACCIDENT
AND RECOMMENDATION BASED ON
STATUTORY/CLASSIFICATION SURVEYS)?

55 HAS THE COMPANY DOCUMENTED THE CORRECTIVE

ACTION PROCEDURE?

56 HAS THE COMPANY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF

OBJECTIVITY AND INDEPENDENCE IN THE
SELECTION OF SMS AUDITORS?

57 HAS THE COMPANY ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES FOR

ENSURING THAT THE RESULTS OF AUDITS AND
REVIEWS ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL
THE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE AREA OR ACTIVITY BEING AUDITED IS
REQUIRED TO TAKE TIMELY AND CORRECTIVE
ACTION ON THE DEFICIENCIES?

THE FOREGOING IS MEANT TO CREATE AWARENESS OF

THE APPLICATION OF ISM CODE ON BOARD UNDER THE
COMPANY’S SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

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