The objectives of the ISM Code are to ensure safety at sea and in all maritime industries, prevent human injuries or death, and avoid negative effects on generally the environment, particularly the marine environment.

What Was The Objective of The ISM Code When It Was First Released?

Following a succession of severe maritime incidents in the 1980s that resulted in the loss of life, ship damage, and contamination of the environment, the ISM code was released. These mishaps were caused by a mix of onboard human error and onshore management failures. To keep such incidents from happening on a regular basis, the maritime sector needs a major overhaul.

Therefore, nowadays, the main objective of the ISM Code is to establish international standards and rules for safe ship management and operation, as well as pollution control. The Code is written in broad language so that it may be applied to a wide range of situations. Various degrees of management, whether on land or at sea, will obviously demand different levels of expertise and understanding of the items listed.

Objectives of ISM Code in Maritime Industry

The main objectives of the ISM Code in the maritime industry are to:

• Ensure maritime safety in the world.
• Prevent human injury or death during the time on the sea. 
• Avoid negative effects on the environment. 
• Focus on the marine environment, as well as on the property.  

The ISM Code defines the following safety management objectives for the company:

• Ensure that ship operations and working conditions are safe.
• Create measures against any threats that have been identified.
• Improve the safety management abilities of people ashore and onboard ships on a continuous basis. These abilities include the ability to prepare for safety and environmental emergencies.

Based on the ISM Code, the safety and crew management system on the ships should ensure:

• Observance of all applicable laws and regulations. 
• The Organization, Administrations, classification societies, and marine industry groups' approved norms, principles, and standards must be followed.

Who Needs to Obey ISM Code?

All commercially registered yachts weighing more than 500 gross tons must comply with the whole ISM Code. Commercial boats under 500 gross tons but over 24 meters should use a ‘mini-ISM,' which is a safety management system that meets with the Flag State's standards.

Setting up an efficient Safety Management System may be a complex process, which is why hiring professional management software with expertise is essential. The appropriate Flag States under which the boats sail accept Divergent Yachting's SMS and provide a Document of Compliance (DOC) permitting Divergent Yachting to operate the ISM system.

Although SMS is not required for private boats under 500 gross tons, we are seeing an increase in the number of private yachts opting for voluntary compliance to improve overall safety and environmental standards on board. Thus, safety management based on ISM Code is also essential with them.   

Base on the requirements and the objectives of the ISM Code, all shipowners or maritime companies should have a firm ship management system. All you need for a good ship management system is WAYL.