Annual General Assembly 2004 - Tasmania

Session 2B

International Maritime Environmental And Safety Legislation, A Case Study Of Implementation Of The ISM Code In Gdynia Maritime University

Adam Przybylowski
Gdynia Maritime University (Poland)
Morska 83, 81 225 Gdynia
adam@wsm.gdynia.pl

Abstract

The requirements for safety management at sea are established by IMO conventions (STCW Convention, Solas). ISM Code (Solas Convention, Ch.IX) specifies that every shipping company should develop, implement and maintain Safety Management System which includes and relates to environmental protection policy in compliance with relevant international and flag State legislation. The Code also establishes that the shipping company should clearly define and document the owner's responsibility with regard to implementing the safety and environmental protection policy of the company.

ISM Code requirements are obligatory for Gdynia Maritime University as the owner of training vessels: s.v. "Dar Mlodziezy" and m.v. "Horyzont II". ISM Code implementation was made through establishment of the University policy for safety and pollution prevention and through issuance of safety management manual and introduction of documented procedures: operational and emergency. Also the responsibilities and communication links were documented. Staff and students' trainings and audits necessary for the system implementation were provided together with corrective and preventive actions, management reviews and certification process.

Despite some relatively low costs connected with the implementation of the ISM Code in GMU, there are a lot of benefits of this process, i.e. compliance with IMO conventions, better control and prevention of potential accidents, costs saving as regards possible fines.

GMU - by implementation of the ISM Code on its training vessels - is in compliance with international maritime environmental and safety legislation. Thus, GMU contributes to safe sea operation.

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