The IMO Maritime Safety Committee in its 92nd session (12 - 23
June 2013) adopted amendments to the ISM Code through IMO Resolution
MSC.353(92) which shall enter into force on 1st January 2015.
Amendments to the ISM Code enter into force on 1st January 2015 as
follows;
6 RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL
Paragraph 6.2 has been amended requiring the Company to ensure
that each ship is:
1. Manned with qualified,
certificated and medically fit seafarers in accordance with national and
international requirements and
2. Appropriately
manned ships in order to encompass all aspects of maintaining safe operations onboard.
12 COMPANY
VERIFICATION, REVIEW AND EVALUATION
A new Paragraph 12.2 has
also been adopted requiring the Company to: periodically verify whether all
those undertaking delegated ISM-related tasks are acting in conformity with the
Company’s responsibilities under the Code.
The amended ISM-Code
includes various new footnotes with guidelines and recommendations developed by
the IMO. Although the footnotes given in the ISM-Code are inserted for
reference and guidance purposes and do not constitute requirements under the
Code, in accordance with paragraph 1.2.3.2, all relevant guidelines,
recommendations, etc. should be taken into account.
The following guidelines have been added
as footnotes to the amended ISM-Code:
1. Procedures concerning observed ISM Code
major non-conformities
2. List of codes, recommendations,
guidelines and other safety and security related mandatory instruments
3. Revised Guidelines for the operational
implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by
companies
4. Guidance on the qualifications,
training and experience necessary for undertaking the role of the Designated
Person under the provisions of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code
5. Guidelines for a structure of an
integrated system of contingency planning for shipboard emergencies
6. Guidance on near-miss reporting
7. Revised list of certificates and
documents required to be carried on board ships
Ship managers are
advised to ensure that all the above mentioned guidelines have been
incorporated in the Safety Management System (SMS). Where necessary, amendments
to existing procedures must be carried out.
