ISM Code

The International safety management (ISM) code ensures the safety of life and ship
at sea by implementing various safe practices on board ships.
ISM code works with the motive of satisfying three important goals:

 Safety of people on board

 Safety of ship and cargo
 Safety of marine environment

In order to understand ISM, it is important to know definitions of a few important terms

which determine the whole structure of IMO’s ISM code. If you are a seafarers working at
the sea, then you must know these six definitions which forms the main structure of the ISM
code.

1. Safety Management System (SMS): The safety management system is a

structured and documented system under the International Safety Management (ISM)
code which enables shipping companies and its ship’s crew to effectively implement
all safety policies regarding ship, crew, and environment while at sea.
2. Document of Compliance: Document of compliance is a certificate issued to a
shipping company which complies with all the requirements of the ISM code.
Document of compliance is one of the most important documents of the ship which
are often checked during port state control survey.
3. Safety Management Certificate (SMC): Safety management certificate
(SMC) is a document provided to a ship signifying that the company and its ship
personnel operate in accordance with the safety management system (SMS).
SMC should be produced by the ship whenever asked by a PSC
4. Objective Evidence: Objective evidence is any form of information, records,
or statements of facts which indicates implementation of safe management system by
the shipping company and its ships. The objective evidence is based on observations,
measurements, or tests that are made during an audit and which can be verified.
5. Non Conformity and Major Non-Conformity: When objective evidence
indicates non fulfilment of a specific requirement stated by the safety management
system, a situation of non conformity is considered to have occurred.
A major non-conformity is an extremely serious situation which poses serious threat
to the safety of personnel, ship, or the environment. It indicates a major lapse in
effective and systematic implementation of the ISM code. Major non conformity
would require immediate corrective action to be taken by the ship’s management.
6. Anniversary Date: Anniversary date can be defined as the day and month of
each year which marks the expiry of a relevant certificate or document of the ship
under the ISM code.