Understanding the ISM Code: Safety on Board a Fishing Vessel

The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is part of the international framework for safety management and pollution prevention in shipping. It sets standards for effective management in shipping companies and operating organisations, covering both vessels and their shore-based support.

The core objectives of the ISM Code

• Provide a safe workplace through effective procedures, regular drills, proper maintenance and continuing competence development.
• Comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards to protect safety and the environment.
• Encourage continuous improvement by adapting the safety-management system to the company’s actual needs.
• Establish clear practices for risk assessment, incident reporting and corrective action.

In Norway, fishing vessels have specific safety-management requirements. Many are already working in line with the ISM Code’s principles through existing systems. Building on those practices can improve safety for both crews and vessels.

Adapting the ISM Code for fishing vessels

• Documentation: Risk assessments and deviations must be documented, with requirements scaled to smaller companies where appropriate.
• Shore-based functions: A business with limited administrative resources can assign several roles to one person or obtain external expertise for functions such as the designated person and emergency preparedness.
• Reporting: Incidents, deviations and improvement proposals should be reported and analysed. For fishing vessels, this can be handled through straightforward procedures rather than a complex reporting system.
• Work permits and risk assessments: Extensive use of work permits is not mandatory, but work involving risk must be documented and assessed in accordance with section 7 of the ISM Code.

Benefits for fishing vessels

• Improved safety: A safety-management system helps prevent accidents and improves the crew’s working environment.
• Better regulatory compliance: The ISM Code helps businesses identify and follow applicable requirements.
• Continuous improvement: Systematic reviews and audits help vessels adapt to changing requirements and standards.
• Effective emergency response: A functioning preparedness system reduces response time during accidents and other critical events.

Certification and supervision

To achieve ISM Code certification, a company must document its safety-management system in line with the Code and undergo an audit to confirm that the system is implemented and working. The ISM Code can also be a useful framework for fishing vessels that are not required to hold full certification, because it supports standardised safety practices and continuous improvement.