What is the main purpose of the ISM Code?

• A. To mandate crew training content only.
• B. To require all ships to be privately audited by flag state.
• C. To standardize vessel design criteria.
• D. To ensure safe operation of ships by requiring an approved Safety Management System.

Answer: (D)

The central idea of the ISM Code is to ensure safe operation of ships by requiring an approved Safety Management System. This means a company must establish, implement, and continually improve a formal system that covers safety and pollution prevention, including clear management responsibilities, procedures for operation and maintenance, emergency response, and crew training. The SMS helps identify hazards, assess risks, and put preventive measures in place, with documentation and records to show ongoing compliance. Management reviews and internal audits, along with external verification by the flag state or a recognized organization, lead to certification (the company’s Document of Compliance and the ship’s Safety Management Certificate). It’s about a structured, proactive approach to safety, not just training content, not vessel design standards, and not private audits by the flag state.