1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Appendix is to provide guidance on how to develop and implement an
effective safety management system for coded vessels up to 500GT, where full
certification to the International Safety Management Code is not a requirement.
2. GENERAL
Each operator should create a safe working environment, which should include the
following:
2.1 A Safety and Environmental Protection Policy.
This must address the issues of health, safety and the environment as they affect the
company and its staff, both ashore and afloat. Such a policy might read along the
following lines:
"The policy of (name of Company/Owner) is to conduct its activities taking full
account of the health and safety of its employees and of all persons using or
connected with the Company/Owner and with due regard for the protection of the
environment. In implementing this policy, (name of Company/Owner) will ensure that
the [vessel] is, at all times, properly maintained and operated by qualified
personnel in full compliance with relevant legislation. In particular the
[Company/Owner] will carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of
workers and others affected by [the undertaking], and will take the necessary
measures to minimise the risks identified."
2.2 Risk Assessment
The owner /managing agent should develop an effective Risk Assessment
system which will systematically identify risks to personnel, vessels and the
environment. The outcomes from the risk assessment system will inform the development of
safe systems of work.
The system should be simple to understand and implement such that Masters
and crewmembers can carry out effective risk assessments, taking into account any
deviations from the ‘normal’ method of operation. Further guidance can be found in
Chapter 1, the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.
2.3 The owner/managing agent is recommended to develop and implement
a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP) to the same standard as the garbage
management plan and to integrate it with the Health and Safety Protection Policy.
2.4 Procedures to ensure safe operation of vessels in compliance with the regulations
and rules.
The regulations and rules, not addressed by this Code of Practice, which apply to all
vessels include, but are not limited to:
- International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea;
- Local Navigation Rules;
- National health and safety regulations;
- The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers;
- All relevant national shipping or guidance notices.
2.4.1 The company should draw up simple procedures to ensure that safe working practices
are carried out in the operation of the vessel. These may be in the form of checklists
which can be followed by all personnel.
2.4.2 For some vessels, it might be appropriate to have permanently exhibited
checklists, e.g. in the wheelhouse for navigational items. Alternatively, in a smaller
vessel, the record could take any suitable form such as a diary as distinct from a
specially printed logbook. Whatever form the record takes, such entries should be
accepted as evidence of compliance with the ON BOARD PROCEDURES requirements.
2.5 Lines of communication between personnel, ashore and afloat.
Responsibility and authority of each employee should be clear. This may be best
illustrated in a simple diagram, showing who reports to whom.
2.6 Procedures for reporting accidents.
The requirement for reporting accidents should be well understood by all personnel and
in so doing improve the safety culture practiced on board.
2.7 Procedures for responding to emergency situations.
There should be clearly stated procedures for responding to emergency situations. These
may include but not be limited to:
3. HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTION POLICY
One or more competent persons should be delegated to take responsibility for health and
safety, and that person/persons should be clearly identified. It is the responsibility
of the owner/managing agent to ensure that the policy is complied with, and that the
responsibilities are understood.
The company/owner should develop a policy on prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
All personnel both ashore and afloat have a duty to take care of themselves and other
persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
It is essential that, in the event of an emergency, there is the ability to communicate
with the emergency services via a shore base. The shore base may be the company office
ashore, the local Coastguard, Police or Fire Station, or another office as may be agreed
between the vessel and the shore base.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES
The Master must have authority at all times to make decisions with regard to the safety
of the vessel and the persons on board. To ensure that there is no ambiguity regarding
the authority of the Master, there should be a simple written statement to this effect.
5. PERSONNEL AND TRAINING
All personnel should receive training appropriate to the tasks they undertake. It is the
responsibility of the company/owner to ensure that this training is given, and that the
personnel have an understanding of the relevant regulations and rules.
As a minimum, this means:
- for the Master, the relevant qualifications;
- for the crew, relevant qualifications and any additional training appropriate to
their designated duties.
Prior to the first occasion of working on the vessel, each employee must receive
appropriate familiarisation training and proper instruction in on board procedures. This
should include, but not necessarily be, limited to:
- mooring and unmooring;
- launching and recovery of survival craft;
- evacuation from all areas of the vessel;
- donning of lifejackets; and
- use and handling of fire-fighting equipment.
6. ON BOARD PROCEDURES
Simple procedures should be developed for the operation of the vessel. These should
include, but not be limited to:
- testing of equipment, including steering gear, prior to commencing a passage;
- navigation and handling of the vessel;
- maintenance routines;
- bunkering operations;
- watertight/weathertight integrity;
- stability of the vessel;
- conduct of passengers and crew while on board;
- emergency towing (may be in a separate document);
- safe use and qualification of users for personal watercraft.
7. PREPARATION FOR EMERGENCIES
The potential emergencies likely to be encountered by the vessel should be considered.
Exercises should then be carried out in the handling of these emergencies and evacuation
from the vessel.
Where possible, all personnel should be involved in these exercises, both ashore and
afloat.
The roles and responsibilities of all personnel in an emergency situation should be
defined.
The exercises should be recorded. The names of those who participated should also be
recorded.
8. REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS
Vessels operating under this Code are required to report any accidents to the
Administration and the company must therefore have a procedure in place. Additionally,
all accidents and near accidents should be recorded and reported to the owner/managing
agent, who should implement corrective action, with the aim of improving safety.
9. MAINTENANCE OF THE VESSEL AND EQUIPMENT
Maintenance of the vessel and equipment is an essential ingredient of safety management.
The equipment should be checked and tested daily when in use, in addition to the tests
referred to in the ON BOARD PROCEDURES section of the Code.
There should be procedures for a more detailed inspection and maintenance programme of
the vessel and equipment.
The frequency of the inspections should be determined by the owner/managing agent, but
every event should be recorded.
A checklist could be employed as an aide memoir for the inspection of equipment.
10. REVIEW
Every company/owner should undertake a review of the safety management system of all
vessels at least once in every three years.