• The reasons and background of the implementation of the ISM Code
• The governing principles of the ISM Code
• The Companies responsibilities
• The Role of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
• ISM compliance, internal audits and the system of external verification
• Safety Management Systems - Hazard identification and Risk assessments methodologies -and their role in the ISM Code

What are the Goals?

The main objective is to ensure that the ISM Code is well understood in its principle, which envisages a self-regulated Safety Management System developed by the Company. This objective can be fulfilled only with a participatory approach, and this topical element of the Code will be thoroughly discussed.

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand and explain the context of maritime safety in general and of the ISM in particular
• Understand the impact of this globally applicable legislation in the maritime industry
• Comprehend the effectiveness of the ISM Code and its latest revisions
• Understand the accountability that the ISM Code has placed on the Companies
• Understand the three central elements: risk assessment, incident reporting and audit and review

Organizational Impact

Shipping Companies must comply with ISM Code, by sending employees to attend this training Course the Management will:

• Ensure Compliance
• Enable the Company to obtain the Document of Compliance
• Enable Vessels to obtain the Safety Management Certificate
• Ensure that the Roles and Responsibilities are well understood
• Highlight the Roles of the DPA and Masters
• Avoid Non-Conformities to the Code

Personal Impact

The participants will gain new knowledge and will have the opportunity to interact with industry experts and colleagues who are most likely facing the same work challenges. In brief, the benefits for the participants can be summarized as follows:

• New skills and knowledge can be acquired
• Existing skills and knowledge can be enhanced or updated.
• Improvements in confidence, job satisfaction, capability and competence
• Learning is progressed to practice in the workplace
• Increased capacity to adopt new ideas and methods
• Learning is used to improve performance at work
• Learning is shared, enhancing team performance

This intensive BTS training course will be of benefit to those who are involved with Maritime Safety and Regulatory Compliance, both ashore and afloat. In addition, it will raise the awareness for those personnel who have been allocated potential or specific tasks in a Safety Management Systems.

This BTS training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Nautical Officers
• Engineers
• Superintendents
• Vessel Managers
• Technical Managers
• Shipping Companies (Management, Inspectors, Quality and Regulatory Compliance

The BTS training course will be presented with the latest trend in training methodologies, which include lectures, workshop and presentation, case studies and practical examples, videos and general discussions. The delegates will be involved in a stimulating learning environment, and they are expected to participate actively in order to return to their workplace with a clear understanding of the principles of Maritime Safety and the ISM Code.

Day One: The Background to the International Safety Management Code

• Introduction – Course Objective
• Historical context of maritime safety
• Where did the ISM Code come from
• The ISM Code within maritime legislation – Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
• Regulatory bodies
• Legal and insurance issues

Day Two: The Aims, Structure and Content of the ISM Code

• The ISM Code in full
• Preamble
• Part A – Implementation
• Part B – Certification and Verification
• Certificates - Document of Compliance (DOC) & Safety Management Certificate (SMC)
• The road from starting to full term certification

Day Three: Company Responsibilities, Authority and Obligations

• Company responsibilities
• The Safety Management System (SMS)
• The Role of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
• Responsibility, authority, accountability of the DPA
• Master’s responsibility and authority

Day Four: Operational Safety Management – Shipboard Operations

• Functional requirements of an SMS
• Basis of an effective Management System
• Key component and role of an SMS
• Reports and analysis of non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences
• Emergency preparedness
• Drills and Exercises

Day Five: Risk Assessment and Management

• Incident investigation, event and causal factor
• Hazard identification techniques
• Risk assessment – qualitative and quantitative methods
• Risk reduction
• Safety Culture
• Internal audits and effective communication

BTS attendance certificate will be issued to all attendees completing a minimum of 80% of the total course duration.