The framework the ship runs on
The ISM Code requires the ship to operate under a Safety Management System — documented procedures for safe operation, maintenance, drills, reporting and emergency response — in which the Master holds overriding authority to act for safety. The Chief Mate implements the SMS on deck: following the procedures, running the drills, raising and closing non-conformities, and reporting near-misses. The ISPS Code governs security through the Ship Security Plan, and the Maritime Labour Convention protects the crew's hours of rest, accommodation and welfare, all of which the Chief Mate helps administer.
- ISM: operate under the Safety Management System — procedures, maintenance, drills, reporting and emergency response.
- The Master holds overriding authority under ISM to make decisions for safety and pollution prevention.
- ISPS: ship security under the Ship Security Plan; the Chief Mate has a defined role.
- MLC: the crew's hours of rest, accommodation and welfare, which must be respected and recorded.
NOTE — The SMS is how the ship is run safely The Safety Management System is not a folder in the office but the set of procedures the ship actually works to. The Chief Mate makes it live on deck by following it, drilling it, and reporting honestly when something does not go to plan.
WARNING — Report near-misses honestly A reported near-miss is a free lesson; a hidden one is the next accident. The SMS depends on honest reporting and closing of non-conformities, and the Chief Mate sets the example for the deck crew.