Q2d- How to go about ISM certification of a new ship?

Answer

A – It may be issued to –

i) A newly built ship

ii) A ship for which the management company has changed

iii) A ship to which SOLAS Ch9 applies as mandatory requirement due to conversn, change of navig atn area. Etc.

iv) Change of flag

For Ship- Interim > Initial > Intermediate > Renewal > Additional Interim SMC-

- Company already established with full term DOC for Bulk Carrier or effective interm DOC for new company.

- Company taking over a new Bulk Carrier

- SMS implementation plan in place

- Ship specific SMS manuals should be already approved.

- Ship manned as per Safe manning Document (SMD)

- All crew need to be conversant with SMS ( Top 4 to be conversant first, then rest to be made conversant)

- Initial Implementation is limited

Safety Familiarisation done – muster list, security duties, contingencies Mock drills to be conducted
People to be aware of name of DPA & how to contact

- Filing system in place, but empty folders

- Plans, drawings of the vessel available & in place

- SOPs related to key ship board operations related to safety & pollution prevention as per SMS to be posted

- Crew SEA/Medical certfcts/ STCW certificates

- Go for Interm SMC Audit for Interm SMC

Followed by this, Interim SMC issued with a validity of 6 months. In special cases the validity of an interm SMC may be extended for further 6 months max, provided the flag permission to do so.

Full Term SMC-
3 months successful implementation of SMS on the ship and shore.

It will be followed by Internal Audit, all observations/ N Cs etc if any shall be closed and vessel to undergo an Initial Audit.

Successful Initial Audit shall lead to the issuance to full term SMC, valid for 5 yrs.

Later, subjected to Intermediate Audit (between 2nd and 3rd anniversary and Renewal Audit within 5 yrs, window opens 6 months prior.)

ISM Audit requirement- Internal as per Element 12 and External as per Element 13.

Audit Definition – as per MSbill it means a systematic & independent examintn to determine whether the management system as provided in the safety convention complies with the planned arrangements & such arrngmnts are implemented effectively & are sufiicient to achieve the objectives.