Answer
Yes Sir, I have attended Master’s Review onboard. It was chaired by the Master and attended by senior officers and relevant crew members. The purpose was to review the effectiveness of the Safety Management System onboard. We discussed safety issues, pollution prevention, accidents, near misses, non-conformities, audit findings, PSC observations, emergency drills, training, risk assessments, permits to work, maintenance issues, company circulars, and any SMS deficiencies. After the review, the Master sends the report and identified deficiencies or suggestions to the Company for shore management review and corrective action.
Master’s Review is a mandatory requirement under Section 5.1.2 of the ISM Code.
Key Elements Included in a Master's Review:
The Master’s Review is a formal, periodic evaluation (usually conducted annually) of the ship’s Safety Management System (SMS) efficiency. It evaluates:
SMS Effectiveness & Policy Alignment: Are the current checklists, safety procedures, and work permits functional, or are they creating operational bottlenecks?
Review of Non-Conformities (NCRs) & Accidents: Analyzing all reported accidents, hazardous situations, near-misses, and internal/external audit findings to identify systemic weaknesses.
Defects & Technical Backlog: Reviewing critical outstanding items on the Planned Maintenance System (PMS), class conditions of authority, and required shipyard modifications.
Training & Drills Assessment: Evaluating the emergency response readiness of the crew based on the outcomes of monthly emergency drills.
Feedback to Shore Management: The Master aggregates this data into a formal document, signs it, and sends it directly to the Designated Person Ashore (DPA). This ensures that top management is formally requested to provide resources or amend the SMS to resolve shipboard risks.