3 STANDARDS OF COMPETENCE

  3.1 ISM Code certification scheme management

 Management of ISM Code certification schemes should be carried out by those who have practical knowledge of ISM Code certification procedures and practices.

  3.2 Basic competence for performing verification

  3.2.1 Personnel who are to participate in the verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM Code should have a minimum of formal education comprising the following:

• .1 qualifications from a tertiary institution recognized by the Administration or by the recognized organization within a relevant field of engineering or physical science (minimum two years programme); or

• .2 qualifications from a marine or nautical institution and relevant seagoing experience as a certified ship officer.

  3.2.2 They should have undergone training to ensure adequate competence and skills for performing verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM Code, particularly with regard to:

• .1 knowledge and understanding of the ISM Code;

• .2 mandatory rules and regulations;

• .3 the terms of reference which the ISM Code requires that companies should take into account;

• .4 assessment techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating and reporting;

• .5 technical or operational aspects of safety management;

• .6 basic knowledge of shipping and shipboard operations; and

• .7 participation in at least one marine-related management system audit.

  3.2.3 Such competence should be demonstrated through written or oral examinations, or other acceptable means.

  3.3 Competence for initial verification and renewal verification

  3.3.1 In order to assess fully whether the Company or the ship complies with the requirements of the ISM Code, in addition to the basic competence stated under 3.2 above, personnel who are to perform initial verifications or renewal verifications for a Document of Compliance or a Safety Management Certificate must possess the competence to:

• .1 determine whether the safety management system elements conform or do not conform with the requirements of the ISM Code;

• .2 determine the effectiveness of the Company's safety management system, or that of the ship, in order to ensure compliance with rules and regulations as evidenced by the statutory and classification survey records;

• .3 assess the effectiveness of the safety management system to ensure compliance with other rules and regulations which are not covered by statutory and classification surveys and to enable verification of compliance with these rules and regulations; and

• .4 assess whether the safe practices recommended by the Organization, Administrations, classification societies and maritime industry organizations have been taken into account.

  3.3.2 This competence can be accomplished by teams that together possess the total competence required.

  3.3.3 Personnel who are to be in charge of initial verification or renewal verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM Code should have at least five years' experience in areas relevant to the technical or operational aspects of safety management, and should have participated in at least three initial verifications or renewal verifications. Participation in verification of compliance with other management standards may be considered as equivalent to participation in verification of compliance with the ISM Code.

  3.4 Competence for annual, intermediate and interim verification

 Personnel who are to perform annual, intermediate and interim verifications should satisfy basic requirements for personnel participating in verifications and should have participated in a minimum of two annual, renewal or initial verifications. They should have received the special instructions needed to ensure that they possess the competence required to determine the effectiveness of the Company's safety management system.