Marine Operations Note: 01/2007 - CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN ON ISM CODE

September 11, 2007

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 1/2007

SUBJECT: CONCENTRATED INSPECTION CAMPAIGN ON ISM CODE

Dear Owners/Operators/Masters:

On 1 September 2007, most PSC regimes, including Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU, Indian Ocean MOU, Mediterranean MOU, Black Sea MOU, Latin American and the USCG started a CIC on ISM Code. The campaign will last 3 months to 30 November 2007. PSC officers will conduct the inspection in two parts, first an examination of the vessels’ ISM certificate and documentation and second to verify whether seafarers on board understand and have the ability to implement effectively various safety management procedures in order to assess if the Safety Management System is sufficiently implemented on board.

Questions that will likely be addressed to the vessels crew during the CIC include the following:

• Is the Safety Management documentation (certificates, manuals) on board?
• Is there evidence that the master has carried out the review of the SMS?
• Can officers identify the “designated person” responsible for the operation of the ship and the means to contact that person?
• Have the procedures for establishing and maintaining contact with shore management in an emergency been tested?
• Have the procedures to report non-conformities, accidents and hazardous situations been followed?
• Does the ship’s SMS have a maintenance routine which includes the testing of stand by and critical equipment/systems with records available?
• Is relevant documentation regarding the SMS in a working language or language understood by the crew?
• Are programmes for drills and exercises for emergency situations available and are records available?
• Is there evidence of an effective maintenance system?
• Are introduction/familiarization procedures for crew members carried out in accordance with documented procedures?
• Are the crew members able to communicate effectively in the execution of their duties?
• Are any repetitive deficiencies to be found from previous PSC inspections?

For more information please contact the Safety Department at telephone +1 703 251 2409 email:

safety@liscr.com, or Mr. Timothy M. Keegan at telephone +1 703 251 2409