ISM Code

Accidents related to ISM Code failures: What we have learned so far

Implementation of the ISM Code offers the opportunity for the industry to move away from a culture biased towards blame to one of shared sense of personal responsibility for safety throughout the organisation. A major benefit of the ISM Code is that it encourages lessons to be learned from incidents.

In the following table, we have compiled a list of accidents related to ISM Code failures to highlight lessons learned. Besides, by learning lessons, safety procedures can be reviewed and amended to...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-accidents-related-to-ism-code-failures-what-we-have-learned-so-far/

Ovit grounding: ECDIS incompetence and inexperienced crew in vital positions

Complying with the ISM Code is at least a prerequisite for a safe navigation. As part of its series on ISM Code-related accidents, SAFETY4SEA focuses today on the grounding of the Maltese-registered tanker ‘Ovit’ in the Dover Strait, off UK, in September 2013, that serves as a great example of how minimum ISM breaches can lead to undesired events.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Grounding
  • Vessel(s) involved: Ovit (chemical tanker)
  • Date: 18 September 2013
  • Place: Dover Strait, UK

https://safety4sea.com/cm-ovit-grounding-ecdis-incompetence-and-inexperienced-crew-in-vital-positions/

Padre bulk carrier detention: Crew not scared to speak about their safety

In January 2008, three crew members of the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier ‘Padre’ told a local seafarer’s charity that they feared for their safety onboard. Thorough inspection shortly after identified key safety issues and the ship was detained immediately, while ISM certification was withdrawn.

Case details: At a glance

  • Type: Detention
  • Vessel(s) involved: Padre (bulk carrier)
  • Date: February 2008
  • Place: Immingham, UK

What happened

In February 2008, the 25-year-old ‘Padre’ arrived empty from...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-padre-bulk-carrier-detention-crew-not-scared-to-speak-about-their-safety/

MS Oliva grounding: Oil spill in one of the world’s most remote areas

“The scene at Nightingale is dreadful,” authorities were quoted as saying after the Maltese-registered bulk carrier ‘Oliva’ ran aground in the South Atlantic Ocean, causing an unprecedented oil spill in one of the most pristine regions in the world. The incident is a noteworthy example of navigational error resulting from inadequate compliance with the SMS.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Grounding
  • Vessel(s) involved: MS Oliva (bulk carrier)
  • Date: 16 March 2011
  • Place: South...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-ms-oliva-grounding-oil-spill-in-one-of-the-worlds-most-remote-areas/

ISM Compliance Assessment Tool

USCG issued in August 2005, the NVIC 04-05, containing guidance to ensure foreign vessel compliance with the requirements of ISM Code as well as a complete assessment tool to assist PSCOs when elevating a PSC Exam to an expanded examination of the Safety Management System

The following extract is from the aforementioned USCG Circular, addressing questions that the ISM compliance assessment tool should include.

Questions for the Description of a Non-Conformity (NC)

ISM 1.1.11 Are deficiencies...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-ism-compliance-assessment-tool/

USCG Guidelines on ISM Code

A series of vessel accidents in the late 1980s linked to human error,  suggested a link between the increase in accidents and management faults, urging for measures on the safe operation of ships and pollution prevention. In response, IMO adopted the ISM Code, which is mandatory for certain vessels engaged on an international voyage. In an effort to assist with the effective implementation, USCG has issued guidelines, concerning compliance with the requirement of Chapter IX of SOLAS under USCG...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-uscg-guidelines-on-ism-code/

Cosco Busan: Lack of communication, poor oversight and 53,500 gallons of oil in San Francisco Bay

It has been almost 12 years since the Hong Kong-flagged container ship ‘Cosco Busan’ allided with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, causing one of the most discussed oil spills in US waters. The incident is a good example of how lack of communication and poor oversight for an efficient implementation of the SMS can lead to serious environmental incidents.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Allision
  • Vessel(s) involved: Cosco Busan (container ship)
  • Date: 07 November 2007
  • Place: S...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-cosco-busan-lack-of-communication-poor-oversight-and-53500-gallons-of-oil-in-san-francisco-bay/

Pasha Bulker beaching: A mix of poor SMS, fatigue and bad weather

It is almost 12 years since the Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier ‘Pasha Bulker’ came out at the Nobbys Beach of New South Wales offering an unusual spectacle for local people. The incident is an interesting case study resulting from a multi-faced situation of inadequate communication, inefficient SMS, poor judgement due to fatigue and the objective cause of extreme weather conditions.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Grounding
  • Vessel(s) involved: Pasha Bulker (bulk carrier)
  • Date: 8...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-pasha-bulker-beaching-a-mix-of-poor-sms-fatigue-and-bad-weather/

Harvest Caroline: A case study on improper safety management

Implementing a proper safety management is a key condition for complying with the ISM Code, the sacred guide of shipping safety globally. Several maritime casualties have been attributed to ISM-associated issues. SAFETY4SEA chose to focus today on the grounding of the general cargo ship ‘Harvest Caroline’ which constitutes an interesting case study of how inconsistent implementation of ISM can lead to unpleasant situations.

Accident details: At a glance

  • Type of accident: Dragging anchor and...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-harvest-caroline-a-case-study-on-improper-safety-management/

As times change, we need to abandon “old school” mentality on safety

safety culture ladder

There has been much discussion over the course of the last 20 years, since the early days of ISM Code implementation with respect to the way the shipping industry manages safety. Industry insiders are for many years now, pinpointing the urgent need for seafarers to be trained as human beings and the importance of considering the underlying factors behind accidents too and it seems that in that way, we have been better thinkers. How, therefore, has the so-called human factor been considered as a...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-as-times-change-we-need-to-abandon-old-school-mentality-on-safety/

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