Under the ISM Code, what are the master's responsibility and authority, the advantages of drills, internal audits and the management review?
Short answer
| Topic | ISM section | Essence |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s responsibility | 5 | implement the policy, motivate, clear orders, verify, review and report |
| Overriding authority | 5.2 | safety and pollution decisions; Company assistance on request |
| Drills and exercises | 8.2 | practised response, equipment tested, gaps found early |
| Internal audits | 12 | within twelve months, independent auditors, corrective action |
| Management review | 12.3 | effectiveness evaluated, improvements decided |
- Master’s responsibility (§5): implement the policy, motivate the crew, issue clear and simple orders, verify requirements, review the SMS and report deficiencies ashore.
- Overriding authority (§5.2): the master decides for the safety of the ship and pollution prevention and may request the Company’s assistance; no commercial pressure overrides it.
- Drills and exercises (§8.2): competence and familiarity for a real emergency; procedures and equipment tested and gaps revealed before they cost lives; teamwork and leadership under pressure; statutory drills met and lessons fed back.
- Internal audits (§12): on board and ashore within twelve months, auditors independent where practicable (§12.7), results to the responsible personnel (§12.4), timely corrective action (§12.5) to documented procedures (§12.6); the Company checking itself.
- Management review (§12.3): top management evaluates the SMS’s effectiveness from audits, non-conformity and accident trends and corrective actions, and decides improvements, closing the loop.
- As Chief Engineer: I implement all four in the engine department (India: MS Act 2025 s.147, MS (ISM) Rules 2000 rule 4).
Full answer
The full answer explains each point step by step, with the regulations and figures behind it and the discussion from other candidates. It is in the MEO Class I section of the Marine One forum, open to members enrolled for the MEO Class I exam.