New ISM guide aims to simplify understanding and implementation
January 16, 2024By Seawork Press FP
Workboat Association
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The goal of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code is to limit accidents and casualties caused by the lack of management onboard and from their operators.
It is now [internationally] mandatory for all commercial vessels and offshore units at sea above 500GT to comply with the Code, and that need for compliance now extends to many vessels under 500GT due to their operations (such as Passenger Vessels or High-Speed Craft). There is also a significant rise in operators choosing to voluntarily certify their management and vessels, for prestige, for contractual gains, due to flag state recommendations or simply because the ISM Code is internationally being seen as the pinnacle of vessel safety management practice.
Many vessel operators, though, struggle with the effective implementation of the ISM Code and the creation and compliance of their own set of safety and pollution management procedures.
Based on many years of advising vessel owners and operators on writing and maintaining ISM compliant systems, Kerrie Forster, CEO at the Workboat Association and maritime consultant, has put down his lessons learned in a collection of IMO published material, expert advice and industry best practice; encompassing ranging management styles, ideals, qualities, audits & auditors and expectations.
This guide aims to provide an easy to comprehend, methodical and practical tool to aid the simplified implementation and understanding of the ISM Code, leading to the confident and durable creation of ISM compliant Safety Management Systems that fit individual company’s needs.
