My introduction to a SMS (Safety Management System) was rather inauspicious. One day the captain and the chief just starting talking about something that was coming. it was going to be bad and it was going to involve a lot of pencil whipping. Seems like every coffee break must have heard the term ‘…

A Safety Management System integrates information and risk management. Used to be there was a box of rubber stamps in the wheelhouse with the required logbook entries. At some point that wasn’t cutting it anymore.

This MAY answer some of the questions: Effectiveness of the ISM Code - QMII Improve your maritime safety practices with our insights into the effectiveness of the ISM Code. Contact QMII-QMI for reliable ISM flag states & SOLAS guidance. Otherwise the ranking…

I reflagged a ship into the US fleet not long ago. Paperwork was immaculate, but nothing worked, their 2ae (a us fleet 1ae) didnt know how to light off the boiler. LO purifiers hadnt ran in years, 3 out of 4 FO purifiers had major damage done to their bowls. Main engine was literally a waterfall o…

sure, the box of stamps moved to the crew mess and there is a pile of documents the crew sign when they go to a meal every day.( and somebody stamps ) They wouldnt even notice what language they are written in but the object is to get the signature on the document.

l never had a ‘Road to Damascus’ moment with regards to the SMS. It was several small things over time. For example when the Right Whale regulations came along the captains did all the research while the 2/m continued producing boiler plate voyage plans. As a result we had the information require…

[image] txsail: Best safety I’ve seen comes from senior officers that understand and explain how a job should be done with the juniors and crew and listen to questions and concerns. There’s nothing inherent about a SMS that restricts interactions between senior officer and the crew. The lac…

Wasnt trying to say that a SMS inhibits that, just saying that every good safety culture that I’ve encountered on a ship always seemed to come from the senior officers. Similarly unsafe ships also originated from the senior officers. I’ve personally never seen one originate from an SMS or even rea…

[image] McGourthyClone: I’d like to hear from people sailing in the world fleet or working shoreside with those crews and vessels. What are their experiences on/with non US flagged ships? While I don’t think in the US we do well with the ISM code, I don’t have a strong opinion on how well implem…

Excellent comment.You Sir hit the nail right smack in the middle of it’s head. :+1: :+1: :+1: :+1:

How do Safety Management Systems Work?

Professional Mariner Forum

Kennebec_Captain November 29, 2023, 12:29pm 71

Not unusual from what I’ve heard. Started a thread about it here: The Reflag Merry-Go-Round

As far as the miss-match: The map is not the terrain.

Topic		Replies	Views
Existing approach to safety management has proven deeply flawed and dangerously misleading Marine Safety	17	2581	September 24, 2019
SMS. Useful or not? Professional Mariner Forum	9	2612	November 25, 2016
CG proposes SMS for all domestic pax vessels Maritime News	69	7069	June 5, 2021
Does Your Safety Management System Make Your Operation Safer? Professional Mariner Forum	29	3701	June 7, 2012
SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY: WHY ACCIDENTS ARE OFTEN NOT ACCIDENTAL - MM&P and Dalhousie University Reporrt Professional Mariner Forum	60	4732	September 23, 2019

How do Safety Management Systems Work?

Related topics