What is a DOC?

• A. A document issued to a company which complies with the International Security Management code (ISM)
• B. A document issued to a ship's master for compliance
• C. A document listing cargo and voyage details
• D. A certificate of voyage safety

Answer: (A)

A Document of Compliance shows that a shipping company has a Safety Management System in place and operating in line with the ISM Code. It’s issued by the flag state after auditing the company’s SMS, confirming the organization complies with the Code. This document is what allows the company to operate ships under the ISM framework, but it isn’t issued to the ship’s master, nor is it a list of cargo or voyage details, nor a voyage safety certificate. The vessel itself holds a Safety Management Certificate to prove its own compliance with the SMS, while the DOC covers the company. The DOC is typically valid for about five years, with periodic verifications during that period.