ISM Code — Safety Management
The ISM Code focuses on safe management and operation of ships and pollution prevention through an effective company Safety Management System.
Official IMO Reference →
Safety Management Systems
Maritime Safety Management Systems Training Courses
Develop practical knowledge of the ISM Code, Designated Person Ashore responsibilities, maritime internal auditing, lead auditing and vessel audit preparation through flexible online training.
Online Learning
Flexible Study
ISM / ISPS / MLC Focus
Tutor Support
Maritime Safety Management
What Is a Maritime Safety Management System?
A Safety Management System (SMS) is the structured framework used by a shipping company to manage safe ship operation, pollution prevention, responsibilities, procedures, reporting and continual improvement.
The International Safety Management (ISM) Code provides the international framework for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. SOLAS chapter IX makes the ISM Code mandatory for applicable ships and requires the responsible Company to establish a Safety Management System.
A maritime SMS connects shore management and shipboard operations. It can include company policies, defined responsibilities, safe operating procedures, emergency preparedness, reporting arrangements, maintenance processes, internal audits, management review and mechanisms for corrective action and continual improvement.
Professionals working with maritime safety management may be involved in developing, implementing, maintaining, auditing or improving these systems. Key roles include the Designated Person Ashore (DPA), internal auditors, lead auditors, marine superintendents, safety managers and senior shipboard personnel.
Official framework: SOLAS chapter IX makes the ISM Code mandatory and requires a Safety Management System to be established by the shipowner or other organization that has assumed responsibility for operating the ship.
Core Frameworks
ISM, ISPS & MLC in Maritime Management-System Auditing
Maritime auditors often work across safety, security and seafarer welfare frameworks, which is why IMT combines ISM, ISPS and MLC topics within several audit programmes.
ISPS Code — Maritime Security
The ISPS Code provides a mandatory international security framework for ships and port facilities, supported by security assessments, plans and designated security personnel.
Official IMO Reference →MLC, 2006 — Seafarer Working & Living Conditions
The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended, establishes international requirements covering many aspects of seafarers' working and living conditions and includes compliance and enforcement provisions.
Official ILO Reference →
MLC update: The MLC Code has been amended several times. The 2025 amendments have been adopted but are expected to enter into force in December 2027; training material should therefore distinguish current in-force requirements from future amendments.
Designated Person Ashore
What Does a DPA Do?
The Designated Person Ashore provides an important link between ships and the highest level of company management and supports effective implementation of the Safety Management System.
- Support communication between ship and shore management
- Monitor safety and pollution-prevention aspects of vessel operation
- Support effective implementation of the company SMS
- Monitor reported deficiencies and corrective actions
- Support internal audit and verification processes
- Escalate significant safety-management issues where necessary
- Support management review and continual improvement
- Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory requirements
Audit Process
How Maritime Safety Management Audits Work
Management-system auditing is different from a simple inspection. It evaluates whether documented arrangements are implemented, effective and supported by objective evidence.
1. Audit Planning
Define objectives, scope, audit criteria, schedule, responsibilities and the areas to be examined.
2. Document Review
Review manuals, procedures, records, certificates, previous findings and other management-system information.
3. Interviews & Evidence
Gather objective evidence through records, observation, sampling and interviews with relevant ship or shore personnel.
4. Evaluation
Compare evidence with applicable ISM, ISPS, MLC and company-management-system requirements.
5. Findings
Record conformity, observations and nonconformities clearly and objectively.
6. Closing Meeting
Present audit conclusions and ensure key findings are understood by the relevant management team.
7. Audit Report
Prepare a structured report describing scope, evidence, findings and conclusions.
8. Corrective Action & Follow-Up
Review actions taken to address nonconformities and verify completion where required.
Internal Auditor vs Lead Auditor
Which Maritime Auditor Training Path Is Right for You?
Internal Auditor and Lead Auditor training share core audit principles, but the expected level of responsibility differs.
Maritime Internal Auditor
Designed for personnel who participate in company or vessel internal audits and need practical knowledge of audit preparation, evidence collection, reporting and follow-up.
- Internal audit preparation
- Audit checklists and evidence
- Interview techniques
- Nonconformity identification
- Audit reporting
- Corrective-action follow-up
Maritime Lead Auditor
Designed for professionals seeking broader competence in planning, conducting and leading management-system audits and verifications across ISM, ISPS and MLC contexts.
- Audit planning and leadership
- Managing an audit team
- Opening and closing meetings
- Evidence evaluation
- Audit conclusions
- Reporting and follow-up
Who It Is For
Who Should Consider Safety Management Systems Training?
These programmes are relevant to both shore-based and seagoing professionals who work with safety management, auditing, compliance and vessel operations.
Designated Persons Ashore
Professionals responsible for supporting implementation and monitoring of the company SMS.
Marine Superintendents
Shore-based managers involved in vessel compliance, technical or operational oversight.
Masters & Chief Engineers
Senior shipboard personnel working directly with company safety-management procedures.
Safety / HSEQ Managers
Personnel responsible for safety systems, audits, corrective actions and organizational improvement.
Internal Auditors
Personnel participating in company and vessel internal audit programmes.
Lead Auditors
Professionals planning and leading maritime management-system audits and verifications.
Marine Surveyors & Inspectors
Professionals who need stronger awareness of management systems alongside physical inspection work.
Maritime Consultants
Consultants supporting SMS implementation, audit readiness and compliance improvement.
Skills Development
Skills & Knowledge Developed Through Safety Management Training
Depending on the selected programme, students can develop knowledge across ISM implementation, DPA functions and maritime auditing.
- ISM Code principles and objectives
- Safety Management System structure
- DPA responsibilities and ship-shore communication
- ISM / ISPS / MLC audit awareness
- Internal audit preparation
- Lead audit planning
- Objective evidence and sampling
- Interview and communication techniques
- Identifying nonconformities
- Corrective actions and follow-up
- Vessel audit preparation
- Continual improvement and management review
Training Options
Explore Safety Management Systems Courses
Choose a DPA, internal audit, lead audit or vessel-preparation programme according to your current responsibilities and professional goals.
Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
Develop the knowledge and understanding needed to support implementation and maintenance of a company Safety Management System and perform key DPA responsibilities.
ISM, ISPS, MLC Maritime Internal Auditor
Develop practical knowledge of internal audit planning, evidence collection, reporting and follow-up within maritime management systems.
ISM, ISPS, MLC Maritime Lead Auditor
Build knowledge and auditing skills for planning and conducting combined maritime management-system audits and verifications.
ISM MLC Vessel Preparation & Audit
Focused training on vessel audit preparation and management-system audit practices relevant to ISM and MLC compliance.
ISM / ISPS / MLC Lead Auditor + ISO Lead Auditor + DPA
A combined pathway bringing together maritime management-system auditing, integrated ISO auditor training and Designated Person Ashore knowledge.
Not Sure Which Safety Management Course Fits Your Role?
Tell us whether you work as a DPA, superintendent, auditor, safety manager or senior ship officer. Our training team can help you identify the most relevant programme.
SMS in Practice
Key Elements of an Effective Maritime Safety Management System
A well-implemented SMS is more than a manual. It depends on clear responsibilities, practical procedures, reporting, learning and continual improvement.
Policy & Responsibilities
Clear company commitments, defined authority and understood responsibilities both ashore and onboard.
Safe Operating Procedures
Documented arrangements for routine and critical shipboard operations.
Emergency Preparedness
Planning, drills and structured response arrangements for potential emergency situations.
Reporting & Learning
Mechanisms for reporting hazardous situations, nonconformities, accidents and other safety information.
Maintenance
Processes supporting reliable ship condition, equipment maintenance and identification of critical systems.
Audit & Management Review
Periodic verification, corrective action and management evaluation to support continual improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maritime Safety Management Systems Training FAQ
Answers to common questions from professionals researching ISM Code, DPA and maritime auditor training.
What is a Safety Management System in shipping?
A maritime Safety Management System is the structured company framework used to implement safety and environmental-protection policies, responsibilities, procedures, reporting, maintenance, emergency preparedness, auditing and continual improvement.
What is the ISM Code?
The International Safety Management Code provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention. SOLAS chapter IX makes it mandatory for applicable ships.
What does a Designated Person Ashore do?
The DPA provides a link between ships and senior company management and supports monitoring of safety and pollution-prevention aspects of vessel operation and effective implementation of the company SMS.
What is the difference between an audit and an inspection?
An inspection generally examines condition or compliance at a point in time, while a management-system audit evaluates processes, implementation and evidence against defined audit criteria.
What is an ISM internal audit?
An ISM internal audit is a company verification activity used to evaluate whether the Safety Management System is effectively implemented and whether activities comply with planned arrangements and applicable requirements.
What is a maritime Lead Auditor?
A maritime Lead Auditor plans and leads management-system audit activities, coordinates the audit team, evaluates evidence, communicates findings and supports reporting and follow-up.
Why are ISPS and MLC included in maritime auditor training?
Shipping companies often need to manage and verify overlapping safety, security and labour-compliance requirements. Integrated training helps auditors understand how these frameworks relate during company and vessel audit activities.
Can Safety Management Systems training be completed online?
Yes. International Maritime Training currently provides online DPA, Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor and vessel audit-preparation programmes.
Who should study maritime Safety Management Systems?
Training can be relevant to DPAs, superintendents, Masters, Chief Engineers, safety and HSEQ managers, internal auditors, lead auditors, surveyors, inspectors and maritime consultants.
Which Safety Management Systems course should I choose?
Choose DPA training if your role focuses on ship-shore safety-management responsibilities. Choose Internal Auditor if you participate in company or vessel internal audits, Lead Auditor if you need broader audit-leadership skills, or Vessel Preparation & Audit if your priority is audit readiness.
Training Enquiry
Find the Right Safety Management Systems Training
Tell us which safety-management or audit area you are interested in and our training team can provide course information and enrollment options.
✓ Guidance for DPA, Internal Auditor and Lead Auditor pathways
✓ Information about online study and enrollment
✓ Help choosing individual or combined maritime compliance training
Related Training
Explore Related Maritime Training Categories
Individual Course Pages
Explore All Safety Management Systems Courses
Open an individual course page for detailed learning information, FAQs, related training and course enquiries.
Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
Explore the full individual SEO course page, learning guide, enrolment options and enquiry form.
Explore Course →ISM / ISPS / MLC Maritime Lead Auditor
Explore the full individual SEO course page, learning guide, enrolment options and enquiry form.
Explore Course →ISM / ISPS / MLC Maritime Internal Auditor
Explore the full individual SEO course page, learning guide, enrolment options and enquiry form.
Explore Course →ISM MLC Vessel Preparation & Audit
Explore the full individual SEO course page, learning guide, enrolment options and enquiry form.
Explore Course →ISM / ISPS / MLC + ISO Lead Auditor + DPA
Explore the full individual SEO course page, learning guide, enrolment options and enquiry form.
Explore Course →