Section 5.2 of the ISM Code states that "the Company should ensure that the safety and pollution-prevention management system... The Master has the overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the safety and pollution-prevention of the ship and to request the Company's assistance as may be necessary." This means:

• The Master's authority overrides normal company instructions where his or her professional judgement is that safety or pollution Prevention demands alternative action.
• It applies in emergencies, heavy weather routing, refusing a sailing, deviating for casualty or medical reasons, discharge of pollution response, etc.
• The Master is made explicitly responsible, not just accountable, and cannot be ordered into an unsafe situation against his judgement.
• Companies must ensure the Master knows the SMS and is free from restraint so that the authority is genuine. This provision removes ambiguity that might otherwise put commercial pressure ahead of safety.

Requirement: Section 6.3 of the ISM Code requires that the Company should provide documented instructions so that every seafarer, especially newly joined personnel, is able to safely operate and maintain the ship and its equipment. SOLAS (Regulation V/14.4 and STCW) reinforces that crew must be familiarised with safety equipment, alarms, survival craft and emergency procedures before the ship sails; this is recorded.

Advantages:

• Reduces human error, which is a major cause of marine casualties.
• Ensures crew can locate and use lifesaving, firefighting, pollution and emergency equipment quickly.
• Brings new crew up to speed on ship-specific procedures and arrangements more quickly.
• Improves response efficiency in emergencies, reducing risk to life and property.
• Satisfies statutory and audit requirements, avoiding deficiencies at port State control and ISM audits.
• Builds confidence and morale among the crew.

Under Section 4 of the ISM Code, the Company is to designate a person ashore, the DPA, to whom the Master can report on safety and pollution-prevention matters. Requirements and functions:

• The DPA is a shore-based person or persons with direct access to the highest level of management of the company.
• The DPA provides a two-way communication link between the ship and the company, monitoring the safety and pollution-prevention performance of each ship.
• The DPA ensures adequacy and coordination of shore-side resources such as technical support, spare parts, rescue, towing and medical assistance for the ships.
• The DPA monitors that the Safety Management System is operating effectively, coordinates the response to incidents and supports the Master in following up corrective action and reporting.
• The DPA is named in the Document of Compliance (DOC) and is usually reachable 24 hours a day.

Section 1.2 of the ISM Code lists the functional requirements every Safety Management System (SMS) must satisfy:

1. A policy for safety and environmental protection (company safety policy).
2. Instructions and procedures to ensure safe ship operation and environmental protection in compliance with relevant international and flag State legislation.
3. Defined levels of authority and responsibility, and lines of communication between ship and shore personnel.
4. Procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities.
5. Procedures to prepare for and respond to emergency situations.
6. Procedures for internal audits, management reviews and corrective action.
7. Development of plans and instructions for key shipboard operations concerning the safety of the ship and prevention of pollution (critical operations).

These functional requirements are developed into the full SMS, audited against, and verified by the issue of the DOC (company) and SMC (ship).