| International Safety Management, or ISM for short, is | | | | should be a procedure to identify where these |
| a code adopted worldwide which ensures that yachts | | | | systems fall short and how they can be corrected, |
| and ship are managed and operated safely. The code | | | | as well as regular reviewing of ship management |
| also acts to prevent pollution. | | | | practices. |
| The International Maritime Organisation requires that | | | | An important part of the ISM regime is the planned |
| all commercial ships of over 500 tons gross should | | | | maintenance system for yachts and ships. This allows |
| adopt the International Safety Management (IMS) | | | | operators or owners to undertake maintenance at |
| code. For smaller vessels under 500 tons, but over | | | | intervals determined by the vessels classification and |
| 24 metres, there is what is known as a Mini | | | | manufacturers. This is a formal process which |
| International Safety management code | | | | supervised by personnel on board and which is duly |
| The three basic aims of the ISM code are to ensure | | | | documented. |
| safety on the seas, the prevention of loss of life, | | | | To ensure that ships and vessels fully comply with |
| and the avoidance of damage to ships and also the | | | | ISM standards, they are regularly checked by their |
| environment. | | | | relevant classification society - non government |
| The International Convention for the Safety of Life | | | | organisations in the worldwide shipping industry. |
| at Sea chose to adopt the ISM code, which had | | | | These bodies' - or Class - role is to set and maintain |
| been drawn up a year earlier, in 1994. Within four | | | | building standards for ships. As well as supervising |
| years most of the world's commercial shipping were | | | | construction, they carry out checks to see if these |
| obliged to be in compliance. By 2002 that obligation | | | | standards are being maintained. |
| had been adopted by most international shipping. | | | | Because no two ships or shipping companies are the |
| In order to comply with ISM, each vessel must have | | | | same, and the fact that they all operate under |
| a safety management system - SMS. This must | | | | differing circumstances, ISM is based, as of necessity, |
| consist of a top level policy manual, a manual outlining | | | | on quite general objectives. However, this allows the |
| procedures on board, detailed external and internal | | | | code to be all embracing. This is essential in ensuring |
| audit policies, and a person designated to act as | | | | that International Safety Management ensures the |
| liaison between the ship and onshore. Also there | | | | safety of vessels, crew and the environment. |