After completion of this part you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding about the background of the is M code
while statistical analyses suggest that around 80% of all shipping accidents are
caused by human error the underlying truth is that the act or omission of a
person play some part in virtually every accident including those where
structural or equipment failure may be the immediate course admitting that
about 80% of all accidents at sea can be referred back to human errors it is only
natural that the respective governments now focus on the causes for human errors
the is M code provides tools checklists procedures etc to prevent human errors
as well as technical failures the Titanic disaster led to the soleus
regulations the Torrey Canyon disaster let'em Marple
and the STCW regulations The Herald of free enterprise disaster
led to the Imoh a 647 regulations
the Exxon Valdez disaster litter oppa 90
the Scandinavian star disaster led to the is M code
the Estonia disaster led to new technical and stability requirements
in the late 1980s IMO realized the need for a system that could prevent
accidents injuries and pollution caused by poor management and human errors
their work led to a new chapter in Solace chapter 9 of the is M code the
IMO a64 716 guidelines on safety management were adopted on the 19th of
October 1989 the IMO a 680 17 guidelines on safety
management were adopted on the 6th of November 1991
the IMO a74 1:18 international management code for the safe operation
of ships and for pollution prevention was adopted on the 4th of November 1993
in May 1994 the is M code was made mandatory in a new chapter 9 of Solus
the marine safety committee 63 and the soleus conference decided on the 24th of
May 1994 on a new chapter 9 of Solus which makes the is M code mandatory for
all ships above 500 gross tons regardless of the date of construction
as follows all passenger ships including high speed light craft not later than
the 1st of July in 1998 oil tankers chemical tankers gas carriers bulk
carriers and cargo high speed craft of 500 gross tons and over not later than
the 1st of july 1998 other cargo ships and mobile offshore drilling units of
500 gross tons and over not later than the 1st of july 2002 the ice m code can
be conceived as an umbrella to ensure compliance with rules and regulations
for safe operation of the ship mainly in the area of safety design or equipment
human resources pollution prevention match the book representing an IMO
document with the relevant picture under the umbrella
the objectives of the code are to ensure safety at sea prevention of human injury
or loss of life and avoidance of damage to the environment in particular to the
marine environment and to property safety management objectives of the
company should among other things provide for safe practices in ship
operation and a safe working environment establish safeguards against all
identified risks and
continually improve safety management skills of personnel ashore and aboard
ships including preparing for emergencies related both to safety and
environmental protection