COMPLIANCE
MANAGEMENT

The basis of a management system is to establish and document the agreements made regarding the implementation of the policy for increasing safety and minimising risks on board and ashore. The different standards of management systems are laid out by various maritime organisations, such as the IMO and the ILO, which set the international standard for the maritime industry.

There are three maritime industry codes on which management systems are most commonly based:

  • International Safety Management (ISM code)
  • Maritime Labour Convention (MLC code)
  • International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS code)

The ISM code is a dynamic system that is continually adapted to onboard practices and company policies. The MLC code provides support and insight into labour laws at sea and the ISPS code ensures adequate ship and port security are in place. In the case of all three codes we speak of a compliance system because they aid compliance with national and international rules and regulations.

ISM

The purpose of the ISM code is to manage and limit risks in the areas of safety for ship, and crew and environmental pollution during ship operations.

Rood Boven Groen has developed a digital Safety Management System (SMS) under the motto ‘less is more’. In this ship-specific document policies and procedures are laid out in support of the safe operation of the ship, and based on the 12 chapters of the ISM code. The system is modular, making it easy to adapt to all types of vessels. Combined with its simplicity, the system boosts all required checklists, procedures, and exercises.

Systems based on this approach are already being used to complete satisfaction on merchant and passenger ships and commercial sailing vessels. These systems have been approved by IACS classification societies.

Our expertise

  • Development of a new ship-specific ISM system/SMS
  • Adjustment of existing ISM systems
  • Training of crew members
  • Designated Person Ashore services (DPA)
  • Planned Maintenance System
  • Risk assessment
  • Internal and external audits
  • Designated Person Ashore deployment

ISPS

The purpose of the ISPS code is to secure ships and ports against various threats, such as terrorism, piracy, theft, cybercrime, etc.

The Code describes the responsibilities of the government, port authorities, shipping companies, and crew members. Important aspects of the ISPS code on board include a Ship security assessment and Ship security plan. The company security officer (CSO) and ship security officer (SSO) are responsible for the implementation and execution of the Ship security plan.

Our digital ship security plans are frequently applied to different types of vessels. The interface is designed to be user friendly and the structure follows the 13 chapters of the ISPS code, including cyber security.

Our expertise

MLC

The MLC-2006, or Maritime Labour Convention 2006, aims to protect and improve the working conditions of seafarers at an international level. The MLC-2006 applies to all seagoing vessels involved in commercial activities.

Vessels from 500 GT must be certified for MLC-2006; vessels up to 500 GT do not need certification but must meet the MLC-2006 stated requirements. MLC certification consists of an MLC certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (DMLC) Part I and II.

In DMLC Part I the flag state indicates how the MLC code is implemented in national legislation. In DMLC Part II the shipowner indicates to which procedures the ship complies within the MLC regulations. Rood Boven Groen has developed an online tool, the MLC Document Generator, to assist in drawing up DMLC Part II.

Our expertise

  • Implementation MLC-2006
  • Perform MLC gap analysis to determine your current compliance level
  • Drafting an action plan
  • Implementation of MLC-2006
  • Internal and external MLC audits
  • MLC training of office staff and crew members

Interim QHSE Management

As Interim QHSE managers we feel responsible for the Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) policy within an organisation. We focus predominantly on creating a safe and healthy work environment both on board and ashore, maintaining compliance with legal frameworks and generating support for QHSE within the organisation.

Our duties, among others, include:

  • Establishing, monitoring and (overseeing) implementation of the organisation’s QHSE policy
  • Organising and implementing both internal and external audits
  • Analysing safety issues and developing improvement plans
  • Acquiring, maintaining and managing ISO certification (for example ISO14001, ISO9001 and the ISM, ISPS and MLC codes)
  • Actively creating support for QHSE policy within the organisation
  • Advising the management team and line managers
  • Being the primary contact for government agencies and auditors
  • Coaching colleagues who are involved with QHSE policy
  • Training and giving guidance to QHSE auditors as necessary