Safety And Maritime Environment Protection with Special References to Human Factors I – Learning from ISM Code Audits and PSC Inspections

Abstract

The International Safety Management Code is delivered through a quality assurance (procedures) manual which is continuously improved through seeking feedback as well as through internal audits and regular reviews. The quality assurance is verified through a quality control system namely, internal and external audits and may also be checked by port state control inspections. In this paper a model for effective implementation of the International Safety Management Code based on actual results from key stakeholders is proposed.  This paper presents deficiencies observed by port state control officers and non-conformities noted by classification societies as well as the role the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers plays in making the crews and ships safe with special emphasis on crew related mistakes and company related errors and how these can be minimized. In the second paper, several accident investigation reports are reviewed not only to identify company-related Errors and crew-related mistakes but also to identify management faults and manning issues.
The paper reports on a series of Pareto analyses and demonstrates that human factors specifically top management involvement as well as an effective risk assessment particularly in ship maintenance and shipboard operations plays a major role in keeping the crew and ship safe and marine environment protected. Furthermore, it has been found that safety and top management commitment helps companies to become more competitive. 
The paper recommends more support for shipping companies to cope with rules and regulations and in developing an effective and efficient quality assurance system primarily to manage the audit and inspection requirements. The main support proposed is an e-learning training course on the interpretation and implementation of the ISM Code. The support sought is based on the data provided by the key industry bodies such as the International Associate of Classification Societies and from the Port State Control as well as the findings from accidents and incidents. The core tool in the training course is a series of case studies identifying key issues emanated from both company errors and crew mistakes.