The DPA ensures safe operation of each ship and provides a link between the Company and those aboard. He is assigned as staff member in the organization, is part of the Management Team ashore and reports directly to the MD.
Responsibilities
The DPA is
- fulfill/ensuring that the requirements described in the ISM Code are introduced and maintained at
the correct level
- monitoring/assigning the safety and pollution prevention aspects of the operation of each ship
- ensuring that adequate resources and shore based support are applied
- ensuring/maintaining the SMS
- keeping/monitoring himself updated in rules, regulations and guidelines in shipping as far as relevant for
the Company and keeps the Management and/or the vessel’s head duly informed accordingly
- assigning/implementing Internal Auditors
- responsible for NC in the Company but also for NC of Flag and Port State Controls
- monitoring/taking care of the NCR and has to analyse necessary corrective actions
- fulfill/ensuring all contract commitments related to the Q/S system
Authorities
The DPA has direct access to the Managing Director of the Company.
He has the right to request information from every employee and Manager in the Company in
order to collect information on status and operation of the Safety Management System.
Reporting
He reports directly to the Managing Director.
Text 2
Master
General
The Master is responsible for the ship under his command according to national legislation,
international conventions and regulations and according to the Companies’ specific instructions.
He is the head of the SMT. The Master has the overriding authority and the responsibility to take any action he considers to be in the best interest of the safety of the Crew, passengers, vessel, cargo and the marine environment.
Responsibilities
The Master is responsible for:
- implementation/review of the Safety and Pollution Prevention Policy of the Company
- motivation of the Crew in the observation of that policy
- investigating/issuing orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner
- reviewing Safety and Pollution prevention activities
- regular review of the SMS and recommendation of improvement to the Company
- avoiding/reporting defects to the Company and other matters with the implications for safe operations
or pollution risk and which require the assistance of the Company
- investigation/implementation and reporting of NC, accidents, Near-Misses and hazardous
situations (incidents) to the Company
- requiring/ensuring that all “controlled” documents on board are up to date and issued as per Company
procedures
- issuing/requiring assistance from the Company as may be deemed necessary to ensure safe and pollution free operation of the ship
- ensuring that Statutory and Class Surveys are carried out in time
Authority
The Master has the authority to request assistance from the Company as he deems necessary, assign special duties to the Crew, issue instructions and orders to the crew.
Reporting
The Master reports to the Company.
Chief Engineer
General
He is the head of the Engine Department and Member of the SMT.
Responsibilities
The Chief Engineer is responsible for:
- efficient and safe operation and requirement/maintenance of all engine and powered equipment in the
Engine Room and on Deck
- ensuring that the engine crew follows safe working practices as defined in Company
procedures
- ensuring that all technical department officers and ratings are familiar with relevant
procedures
- notifying/investigating the Master immediately of any defects which may affect ships safety or put a risk to
the Marine environment
- ensuring that Oil Record Book and Engine Log Book are accurate and up to date
Authority
The Chief Engineer has the authority to
- assign engineer officers or ratings specific roles with respect to the engineering department’s
responsibilities und the SMS
- order, in consultation with the Master, spareparts and consumables for his department
Reporting
He reports to the Master and/or the Superintendent.
Text 3
Chief Officer
General
He is the head of the Deck Department, replaces the Master in his absence and is member of the
SMT.
Responsibilities
The Chief Officer is responsible for:
- keeping safe navigational watch
- assisting/instructing the Master during maneuvering
- cargo operations and related safety
- supervising/ensuring that Deck Crew follows safe working practices as defined in Company procedures
- notifying/assisting the Master immediately of any defects which may affect ship safety or put at risk the
Marine environment
- investigating incidents and applying corrective action as agreed with the Master
- programming/maintenance of the deck equipment, safety, lifesaving, fire fighting, pollution prevention
equipment and hull
- maintenance and filling of all documents and reports related to the deck department and cargo
- training and familiarization/examination of all new Crew Members joining the ship on the safety aspects of
ship and cargo
- assisting/programming all safety and anti-pollution exercises in accordance with statutory regulations
and Company procedures
- posting and instructing/supervising the Crew in all relevant data regarding dangerous cargo
- maintenance of charts and nautical publications
Authority
The Chief Officer has the authority to
- assign duty officers and rating specific duties
- request for training, if required for his competence for his next level
- order, in consultation with the Master, spare parts and consumables for his department
- propose any changes with respect to the SMS
Reporting
He reports to the Master and, occasionally, directly to the Company.
Superintendent
General
The Superintendent is the MD or is the appointed by the MD. He is responsible for the techniques on the ships of the Company. He is also responsible for updating the documentation (except for the ISM Documentation).
Responsibilities
The Superintendent is responsible for
- documentation on board
- the whole technique of the ships
- inspection and supervising/ensuring if one ship will stay in a shipyard
- Class Surveys (time schedule, requirements, inspections)
- Shore based calculation for cargo operation if requested
Authorities
The Superintendent has the authority to have access to all documentation aboard, have access to the ship related documentation ashore, give advices to shipboard crew
Reporting
Reports to be drawn up to the Managing Director and DPA. Occasionally, copies of such report to be forwarded to the vessel’s head, too.
3Exchange information on the responsibilities of Shipboard
and Shore-Based Personnel under the SMS following the model
4Are the statements true or false? Correct the false ones
1. DPA is responsible for the ensuring that the engine crew follows safe working practices as defined in Company.
2. Chief engineer is responsible for the Implementing the Quality, Safety and Pollution Prevention Policy of the Company.
3. Chief engineer is responsible for ensuring that Oil Record Book and Engine Log Book are accurate and up to date.
4. Chief Officer is head of SMT.
5. Master is responsible for the maintenance of charts and nautical publications.
6. Managing Director is responsible for assisting the Master during maneuvering.
7. Chief engineer is responsible for keeping safe navigational watch.
8. DPA is responsible for keeping himself updated in rules, regulations and guidelines in shipping as far as relevant for the Company and keeps the Management and/or the vessel’s head duly informed accordingly.
9. Master is responsible for the ensuring that Oil Record Book and Engine Log Book are accurate and up to date.
10. Chief officer is responsible for the maintenance and filling of all documents and reports related to the deck department and cargo.
11. Chief engineer has the authority to have access to all documentation aboard.
12. Managing Director reports to the Chief Officer.
5Match the columns
Activity
Interval
1.
All survival crafts, rescue boats and launching appliances shall be visually inspected to ensure that they are ready for use.
a.
every months
2.
Every crew member shall participate in at least one abandon ship drill and one fire drill.
b.
weekly
3.
If more than 25% of the crew have not participated in abandon ship and fire drills on board that particular ship in the previous month, such drills shall take place.
c.
every month
4.
When a new crew member gets on board, abandon ship and fire drills shall be held.
d.
within 24 h of the ship leaving a port.
5.
Emergency lighting for mustering and abandonment shall be tested at each abandon ship drill.
e.
before sailing
6.
The lifeboat shall either be launched by free-fall with only the operating crew on board, or simulated launching shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed by the Organization.
f.
weekly
7.
Every crew member shall be given instructions which shall include but not necessarily be limited to:
-operation and use of the ship’s inflatable liferafts;
-special instructions necessary for use of the ship’s life-saving appliances in severe weather and severe sea conditions
g.
within any periods of 2 months
8.
Inspection of the life-saving appliances, including lifeboat equipment, shall be carried out using the checklist required by the regulation 36.1 to ensure that they are complete and in good order. A report of the inspection shall be entered in the log-book.
h.
every month, but at least every 3 month
9.
As far as reasonable and practicable, rescue boats other than lifeboats which are also rescue boats, shall be launched with their assigned crew aboard and maneuvered in the water.
i.
monthly
10.
Lifeboats, except free-fall lifeboats, on cargo ships, shall be moved from their stowed position, without any persons on board, to the extent necessary to demonstrate satisfactory operation of launching appliances, if weather and sea so allow.
j.
at least every 6 months
6What are the Key and Critical shipboard operations under the SMS?
7Complete the chart using prompts:
Brief all crew on Voyage
Assign duties
Brief new crew on vessel layout, fire fighting, life saving equipment
Note crew names in log
Brief new crew on emergency procedures
Reading
8Discuss with your partner:
Is it always necessary to meet the SMS requirements?
What can be the result of breaking the SMS?
Have you ever seen or heard about the fatal accidents because of not following the safety policy?