Definition
IMO adopted the ISM Code in 1993 (resolution A.741(18)) and made it mandatory from 1 July 1998 through SOLAS chapter IX. It requires the company responsible for a ship to establish a safety management system (SMS): a safety and environmental policy, procedures for shipboard operations and emergencies, a designated person ashore, reporting of accidents and non-conformities, maintenance, and internal audits.[1]
Compliance is certified twice: a Document of Compliance (DOC) for the company and a Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for each ship, both valid for five years with periodic audits. A new company or ship starts on an interim DOC (12 months) or interim SMC (6 months).[2]
The SMS reaches procurement through the planned maintenance system and critical-spares lists: items the SMS identifies as critical must be on board, and a late spare or a defect that cannot be fixed becomes a non-conformity — and a port state control finding.
Read next on GeoMarineHub
Sources
- [1] IMO — International Safety Management (ISM) Code — https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/ISMCode.aspx
- [2] AMSA — ISM Code certification (DOC and SMC) — https://www.amsa.gov.au/book/export/html/10133
A working definition for buyers, not legal advice — the contract, the convention text and your club or class have the last word.