Question 1

Reviewing your SMS boat-drill procedure against BSU's SEAHAKE recommendations, which sequence should it specify?

Accepted Answer

Lower the boat unmanned to just above the water first, then board from the embarkation deck at that low height BSU's recommendation to German Tanker Shipping GmbH & Co. KG was specific: make it mandatory to lower any open boat unmanned to just above the water before anyone boards, with boarding from the embarkation deck at that height — not at bulwark height with a further occupied lowering still to come. A procedure still specifying bulwark-height boarding hasn't actually closed the gap the investigation identified.

Question 2

Under the ISM Code and as reinforced in Gard's guidance to Members, the Master's overriding authority to make decisions for the safety of the ship and protection of the environment can be overruled by a commercial instruction from the company, such as a charterer's order to sail on schedule.

Accepted Answer

False False. Gard's guidance to Members consistently stresses that the ISM Code (element 5) gives the Master overriding authority and responsibility for safety and pollution prevention decisions — and that companies must ensure this authority is not undermined by commercial pressure. A charterer's or owner's commercial instruction never overrides the Master's safety judgement; Masters who feel pressured are advised to record their decision and reasoning and report it to the company and, where relevant, to their P&I correspondent.

Question 3

A crew member identifies that a piece of safety equipment does not match what is listed on the safety equipment plan. What is the correct way to handle this under the SMS?

Accepted Answer

Raise it as a non-conformity/observation through the SMS reporting process so it is recorded, investigated, corrected, and — if it reflects a wider issue — used to improve procedures or the safety equipment plan itself The ISM Code requires a system for reporting non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences so they can be analysed and corrective/preventive action taken — quietly fixing an issue without recording it loses this opportunity for systemic improvement.