Pillars of IMO
STCW
SOLAS
MARPOL
MLC
LOAD LINE
ISPS code
COLREGS
What is the IMO
The international maritime organisation is a body under the UN responsible for regulating international shipping, covering everything from safety to environmental protection, navigation and security.
It consists of an assembly made up of politicians from governments under the UN and they meet every 2 years to re-elect a council, approve budgets and set policies.
The council is made up of 40 countries and they are the governing body on a day to day basis between assembly meetings.
They coordinate the work of the Committees such as the MEPC, MSC, legal and facilitation committee and the technical committee.
Bilge system regulations
• Must be 2 bilge pumps, 1 of which must have 2 suctions incase of emergency
• 1 bilge suction must be connected to the highest capacity pump in the engine room
• There must be bilge high level alarms present
• Must maintain dry bilges
• Water must not pass from the secure ballast systems into dry spaces through the bilge
SOLAS chapters
For vessels >500GRT
Chafter 1 - General provisons
• Chapter 2.1 - construction - Subdvision & stability, machinery & electrical installations
• Chapter 2.2 - Fire prevention, fire detection & fire extinction
• Chapter 3 - lifesaving appliances & arrangements
• Chalter 4 - Radio Communications
• Chapter 5- Safety of navigation
• Chapter 6 - carriage of cargoes
•Chapter 7- carriage of dangerous goods
• Chapter 8 - nuclear ships
- Chapter 9 - Management for the safe operaten of ships (ISM)
• Chapter 10 - safety measures for high-speed crafts
• Chapter 11- special measures to enhance maritime safety
• chaper 11.2 - Special measures to enhance maritime security (ISPS code)
• chapter 12 - additional safety measures for bulk carriers
• Chapter 13 - verification of compliance
• Chapter 14 - safety measures for ships operating in polar waters
• Chapter 15 - safety measures for ships carrying industrial personnel
What is the ISM code?
International safety management code
SOLAS Ch 9
The purpose of the ISM code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention
It contains 16 codes
It contains regulations on SMS, DPA, Accident reporting, internal auditing, health and safety committee etc.
2 certificates - DOC (office), SMC (ship)
- created after herald of free enterprise disaster
What is the SMS?
The safety management system is created by the company for each class of ship
It is heavily checklist oriented. It contains things such as SOPs, PMS and procedures in the event of emergencies as well as roles and responsibilities.
A safety management certificate is given to the ship after auditors ensure that the SMS is sufficient
A document of compliance is given to shoreside
Both valid 5 years
What is the DPA?
The Designated Person Ashore serves as a direct line of communication between ships crew and the highest levels of shoreside management. Their role is to ensure the ship is in compliance with the SMS.
Where to find your roles & responsibilities?
On the muster list which should be posted in the most prominent crew areas which are accessible to all crew
On the SMS
Which logbooks are legal?
Engine room logbook
Oil record book
Garbage record book
Ozone depleting substances book
Engine movement
Scrubber logs
Where should a copy of COSWP be kept onboard
In a location accessible to all crew such as the library or mess and an additional copy may be kept on the bridge
What is the ISPS code?
International ship and port facility security code is part of SOLAS Ch 11-2
It sets mandatory security measures for both ships and port facilities to prevent terrorism and security breaches.
It requires that each ship carries an approved Ship Security Plan, have a Ship Security Officer and maintains an international ship security certificate
Each port and shipping company must also have a designated security officer.
A MARSEC level must also be in place for ships and ports based on any security concerns.
It is split into part A & B, A is mandatory and B is guidance
Applies to all passenger ships and ships of >500GT
What is LOLER
Lifting operations & lifting equipment regulations
What is PUWER
Provisions & use of working equipment regulations
What is COSWP and is it mandatory?
The code of safe working practices provides guidance for seafarers on working safely. It is the seafarers equivalent of the health and safety to work act and contains 34 chapters with the most recent chapter added in 2025 is based on shipyard safety.
Mandatory only for UK flagged Vessels but it is commonly kept onboard and followed by many vessels internationally
Hours of work & rest
Minimum 10 hours rest in any 24 period with 77 minimum rest hours over any 7 day period
Max working hours of 14 per 24
Max working hours of 72 hours over a 7 day period
One break has to be atleast 6 hours
What is COSHH
Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (UK)
Requires employers to identify, assess, control, train personnel on any hazardous substances (chemicals, oil, vapours, fumes, dusts etc.)
What is the ODS book for?
It is for recording the movement of ozone depleting substances such as refrigerant gases and any Nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions.
What is the Load Line convention and how would you prepare for a load line survey? Conditions of assignment?
On the ships side we have load line marks @ midships which shows the
• Preparations for load line survey
- Check ovbd valves
- BW system
- Bilge system
- WTD
- Bulkhead
- ER sounding pipes and caps
- Air vents of fuel tanks, BW and bilge tanks NR v/v ball
• Conditions of assignment
- Vessel has sufficient strength and is constructed and maintained for its purpose
- Vessel has adequate reserve buoyancy at its full cargo load
- Vessel has adequate crew protection, stability and the watertight integrity.
What is an IOPP and IAPP certificate?
International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (compliance with MARPOL Annex 1)
International Air Pollution Prevention certificate (compliance with MARPOL Annex 6)
Both for ships over 400 GT
Both valid 5 years
Marpol annexes
Applies to cargo & passenger ships >400GRT and tankers of >150GRT
1• Prevention of pollution by Oil
2• Control of pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
3• Prevention of pollution by Harmful Substances carried by sea in Packaged Form
4• Prevention of pollution by Sewage
5• Prevention of pollution by Garbage
6• Prevention of pollution by Air
What is a convention?
A convention is a tri-party agreement between the IMO, ship owners and governments
SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC, Load Line
What is a code?
A code is a systematic collection of rules from conventions
ISM, ISPS
What is a classification society and what is IACS?
It is a non-governmental organisation developing rules for ships construction + repair, conducting regular surveys etc.
DNV (Det Norske Veritas), Lloyds register, BV
IACS is the international association of classification societies. It harmonises technical rules across the major classification societies, advises IMO and ensures consistent safety and constructional standards worldwide.
What is MLC
Maritime Labour Convention 2006
Sets a minimum set of standards for crew welfare
Standards for cabins, food & recreation, employment agreement, medical facilities & repatriation, working & rest hours (77 rest over 7 days & 72 hours work over 7 days)
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2 Stroke Engines18
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4 Stroke Engines9
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Engine General25
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Boilers & Steam19
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Compressors9
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Fuel Oil9
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Lube Oil3
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Cooling Water3
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OWS & MARPOL Annex 112
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Emergencies27
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Legislation28
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Electrical32
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Purifiers/Separators6
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Pumps15
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Stability4
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Watchkeeping14
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Sewage & MARPOL Annex 43
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Air Pollution & MARPOL Annex 610
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Refrigeration & A/C11
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Enclosed Space4
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Propulsion and Steering Gear11
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Chemicals1
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Drawings18
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Inert Gas1
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Fresh Water Generators & Potable Water2
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LSA3
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Marpol Annex 51
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Last Vessel1
