| SMS |
Safety Management System (SMS) GuidelinesAn SMS is a set of documents about how you operate your vessel safely. It provides information on how your company and vessel(s) operate on a day to day basis; what you will do if there is an emergency on your vessel; vessel details, what she does and where she operates; the Designated Person (DP) including their contact details; how you do things on your vessel, who does what, how they do it and when; how you identify hazards, assess and manage risk; how you record what happens on your vessel; how you do drills and train your crew and how you keep a record of drills and training. You need an SMS if you operate Class 1 or Class 2 commercial vessels or your vessel can carry nine or more people. You need an SMS because it helps to keep your operation safe; it’s a survey requirement and it’s the law. The writing of an SMS is the responsibility of the owner of the vessel and/or the Designated Person and/or a person appointed by the owner. The Master and the crew are not responsible but can be very helpful when you write your SMS. Writing an SMS is easier than you think. Be your own consultant – you know your company and your vessel best! Remember the SMS is for your company and your vessel. There are 12 sections in an SMS – do one at a time. At the end of each section there is an example of how the section could be written. It is important to remember that they are examples only! Don’t copy them unless they completely reflect your operation! Your SMS should be about your vessel. The 12 sections of an SMS are:
General SectionThis section gives the details of your company. These include:
Safety and Environment PolicyThis section gives details of how you make sure your operation is safe. It provides information on:
Company Responsibilities and AuthoritiesThis section shows how your company is organised. It explains who does what in your company. (A simple diagram showing ‘who is responsible to who’ can be very useful.) Designated Person (DP)The Designated Person (DP) looks after the safe operation of your vessel(s) and is a link between your company and the people working on your vessel(s). In some cases; particularly in larger companies, the DP is shore based and is in direct contact with management. In other cases, for example, one person operations, the DP might be the owner operator. Master’s Responsibility and AuthorityThis section says that the Master of your vessel is responsible for the SMS. It says the Master is responsible for communicating effectively with crew and passengers. It says he has complete authority to do what s/he thinks is necessary to keep the vessel, passengers and crew safe. Resources and PersonnelThis section is about the number of people who work for the company. It provides information on:
Operational ProceduresThis section is about the normal operations of your company and vessel(s). It provides information on:
You must have procedures for the following as a minimum:
Emergency ProceduresThis section is about what you would do if there is an emergency on your vessel. It provides information on:
You must have procedures for the following as a minimum:
Reporting Incidents and AccidentsThis section is about how you report and record accidents, incidents, defects and hazardous events. It provides information on:
Maintenance and RecordingThis section is about how you look after your vessel and equipment. It provides information on:
DocumentationThis section is about how you handle your documents. It provides information on:
Review and EvaluationThis section is about how you give your SMS a “health check” or audit. It provides information on:
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