Under Element 5 of the ISM Code, the Master is responsible for periodically reviewing the Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure that it remains relevant, effective and suitable for the ship's specific operations.

Main objectives and responsibilities:

• Continuous improvement: The review helps identify areas where the SMS can be improved and allows the Master to report any operational deficiencies or practical shortcomings directly to the shore-based management.
• Master's overriding authority: The Master retains overriding authority and responsibility for making critical decisions concerning safety and pollution prevention.
• Emergency situations: In an emergency, the Master may deviate from the requirements of the SMS when necessary to save life or protect the environment.

Under Element 6 of the ISM Code, the Company must establish procedures to ensure that new personnel and personnel assigned to new duties are properly familiarized with their safety and environmental responsibilities before sailing.

Requirements

Essential instructions must be provided to the seafarer in a language understood by them before departure. Familiarization should include, as applicable:

• Muster stations and emergency duties.
• Emergency escape routes.
• Location and basic operation of fire-fighting equipment.
• Relevant shipboard safety procedures.
• Duties relating to safety and environmental protection.

Advantages

• Reduces human error and accidents: Familiarization ensures that crew members understand the vessel's specific equipment, arrangements and operating procedures from the beginning of their assignment.
• Improves emergency readiness: Seafarers are already aware of their specific emergency duties and survival-craft procedures, allowing a quick, coordinated and effective response during an emergency.
• Improves safety and environmental protection: Proper understanding of onboard procedures helps personnel perform their duties safely and reduces the possibility of unsafe acts and pollution incidents.

Under Element 4 of the ISM Code, every Company must appoint a Designated Person Ashore (DPA), or persons, to provide a direct and independent link between the shipboard personnel and the highest level of shore-based management.

Main responsibilities

• Monitoring safety and pollution prevention: The DPA monitors the safety and pollution-prevention aspects of the ship's operations and helps ensure compliance with the ISM Code and the Company's SMS.
• Direct access to top management: The DPA must have direct access to the highest level of management so that safety concerns, non-conformities and necessary changes can be reported without unnecessary bureaucratic interference.
• Shore-based support and resources: The DPA is responsible for ensuring that adequate shore-based support, materials and resources are made available to the vessel so that the SMS can be effectively implemented and maintained.
• Communication link: The DPA acts as an important communication link between the vessel and shore management regarding safety and pollution-prevention matters.

Element 1.4 of the ISM Code specifies that every Company must develop, implement and maintain a functional Safety Management System (SMS).

The SMS should include the following functional requirements:

1. Safety and environmental protection policy: A clear and effective policy for achieving the Company's safety and environmental-protection objectives.
2. Instructions and procedures: Clearly defined instructions and procedures for the safe operation of ships and protection of the environment, in compliance with relevant international and flag-State legislation.
3. Defined authority and communication: Clearly defined levels of authority and lines of communication between shore-based and shipboard personnel.
4. Reporting procedures: Established procedures for reporting accidents, hazardous situations and non-conformities.
5. Emergency preparedness: Procedures for preparing for and responding effectively to emergency situations.
6. Internal audits and corrective action: Procedures for conducting internal audits, identifying deficiencies and implementing corrective actions.
7. Management reviews: Procedures for carrying out management reviews of the SMS to ensure its continuing suitability, effectiveness and improvement.