Question 1

What is the ISM Code and which vessels must comply?

Accepted Answer

International Safety Management Code: requires documented company and vessel Safety Management Systems (SMS); compulsory for SOLAS vessels, potentially including some commercial yachts.. The ISM Code (International Safety Management Code), made compulsory by SOLAS Chapter IX, requires companies to develop, implement and maintain a Safety Management System (SMS). This covers safe operating procedures, emergency preparedness, accident reporting, maintenance and personnel training. For international voyages, Chapter IX applies to passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft, irrespective of tonnage, and to oil tankers, chemical tankers, gas carriers, bulk carriers, high-speed cargo craft, other cargo ships and mobile offshore drilling units of 500 GT and above. Government-operated ships used for non-commercial purposes are excluded. Commercial yachts may fall within this scope, particularly those of 500 GT and above on international voyages; flag-state requirements also apply. LY3 has been superseded by the REG Yacht Code. A Document of Compliance (DOC) is issued to the company and a Safety Management Certificate (SMC) to each vessel.

Question 2

Does the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code) apply to vessels operating under LY3?

Accepted Answer

LY3 yachts of 500GT and above must comply with the ISM Code; those below 500GT must meet the separate safety management provisions in LY3 Annex 2.. LY3 is not restricted to yachts below 500GT. Under LY3, yachts of 500GT and above must comply with the ISM Code and its certification requirements. Yachts below 500GT must meet the safety management provisions in LY3 Annex 2, rather than merely being encouraged to adopt a voluntary system. These provisions are distinct from full ISM certification. SOLAS Chapter IX application depends on ship type and voyage: it covers passenger ships on international voyages without a tonnage threshold and specified cargo ship types of 500GT and above. LY3 yachts carry no more than 12 passengers and are not SOLAS passenger ships.

Question 3

Which option lists the eleven SMS subject areas covered by sections 2 to 12 of Part A of the ISM Code, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter IX?

Accepted Answer

Safety and environmental protection policy | Company responsibilities and authority | Designated Person(s) Ashore (DPA) | Master's authority and responsibility | Resources and personnel | Shipboard operations plans and procedures | Emergency preparedness | Reporting and analysis of non-conformities/accidents | Maintenance of vessel and equipment | Documentation | Company verification/review/evaluation. Option C summarises the eleven subject areas in ISM Code Part A, sections 2 to 12. These should not be confused with the six functional requirements specified in section 1.4: a safety and environmental protection policy; instructions and procedures for safe ship operation and environmental protection; defined levels of authority and lines of communication; procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities; procedures for preparing for and responding to emergencies; and procedures for internal audits and management reviews.

ISM Code, questions and explanations

What is the ISM Code and which vessels must comply?

Does the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code) apply to vessels operating under LY3?

Which option lists the eleven SMS subject areas covered by sections 2 to 12 of Part A of the ISM Code, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter IX?

Practise this properly

ISM Code, questions and explanations

Questions

What is the ISM Code and which vessels must comply?

Does the ISM Code (International Safety Management Code) apply to vessels operating under LY3?

Which option lists the eleven SMS subject areas covered by sections 2 to 12 of Part A of the ISM Code, made mandatory by SOLAS Chapter IX?

Practise this properly