When a shipping company's safety management system exists only on paper, the gap usually shows up at the worst possible moment: a near miss that was never reported, a non-conformity that was never closed, or an emergency drill that crew had never actually rehearsed. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code was written precisely to close that gap, requiring shipping companies to run structured, auditable systems that catch risk before it turns into an incident rather than explaining it afterward. Getting an SMS right is less about producing a manual and more about building habits, reporting lines, and accountability that hold up under real operating pressure.

This course is delivered by Arab British Fellowship Training Academy through the Building and Auditing Safety Management Systems Under the ISM Code Training Course, a program that walks participants through the ISM Code from the perspective of the people who have to make it work day to day, from the Designated Person Ashore to the Master on the bridge. Trainees learn to design an SMS that stands up to audit, manage non-conformities and incidents honestly, and carry certification and safety culture forward across the fleet.

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

• Develop procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing non-conformities and near misses.
• Apply risk assessment methodologies within shipboard and shore-based operations.
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Company Security Officer.
• Understand the objectives, structure, and legal basis of the ISM Code.
• Identify the core elements required within a Safety Management System (SMS).
• Manage the certification process, including the Document of Compliance and Safety Management Certificate.
• Conduct and support internal audits and shipboard emergency drills.
• Foster a sustainable safety culture across shipping company operations.

Target Group

This course is designed for a wide range of professionals working in the maritime and shipping sector, including:

• Designated Persons Ashore (DPA) and safety management coordinators.
• Ship captains, officers, and crew members involved in safety operations.
• Quality, health, safety, and environment (QHSE) managers in shipping companies.
• Internal and external maritime auditors.
• Fleet managers and marine superintendents.
• Compliance officers within shipping and ship management companies.
• Port state control officers and flag state surveyors.

When the System Breaks Down: Incidents, Root Causes, and Non-Conformities

• Procedures for reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses.
• Root cause analysis and corrective action processes.
• Managing non-conformities identified during operations or audits.
• Preventive measures to reduce recurring safety risks.

Who Owns Safety: Roles from the Boardroom to the Bridge

• Responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA).
• Role of the Master in implementing the SMS on board.
• Responsibilities of officers and crew in maintaining safety procedures.
• Communication channels between ship and shore management.

The ISM Code: Origins, Scope, and Legal Standing

• Background and objectives behind the development of the ISM Code.
• Legal status of the ISM Code within the SOLAS framework.
• Scope of application across vessel types and shipping companies.
• Key definitions and terminology used within the ISM Code.

Designing a Safety Management System That Works

• Core components required within an SMS.
• Safety and environmental protection policy development.
• Defining company and shipboard responsibilities and authority.
• Documentation and record-keeping requirements under the ISM Code.

Getting and Keeping Certification: DOC and SMC

• Requirements for obtaining the Document of Compliance (DOC).
• Requirements for obtaining the Safety Management Certificate (SMC).
• Roles of flag states and recognized organizations in certification.
• Interim certification procedures and renewal timelines.

Audits and Emergency Drills: Proving the System Works

• Planning and conducting internal SMS audits.
• Preparing for external audits by flag states and classification societies.
• Developing shipboard emergency response procedures and running drills.
• Coordination between ship and shore during emergencies.

Sustaining a Safety Culture Beyond the Paperwork

• Embedding safety values across all levels of the organization.
• Training and awareness programs for crew and shore staff.
• Leadership's role in reinforcing safety management practices.
• Measuring and monitoring safety performance indicators.