REPUBLIC OF Marine Guideline

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

No. 2-11-18
MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR
May/2024

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS

SUBJECT: Reference List to Aid in International Safety Management Code Compliance

Reference: (a) RMI Marine Notice 2-011-13, International Safety Management (ISM) Code

PURPOSE

This Marine Guideline provides a reference list to assist in International Safety Management (ISM)
Code compliance. It should be used in conjunction with the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
Maritime Administrator’s (the “Administrator”) Marine Notice (MN) 2-011-13.

This version supersedes Oct/2023. Section 6.0 has been amended to reference the latest issuance
of the port State control procedures, IMO Assembly Resolution A.1185(33), Procedures for Port
State Control, 2023, adopted 6 December 2023.

APPLICABILITY

This Guideline should be referred to by all Companies and RMI-flagged vessels to which the ISM
Code applies and those that voluntarily comply with it.

GUIDANCE

There are many regulations and guidelines, internationally adopted and industry-initiated, that a
Company should consider when developing, managing, and implementing an ISM Safety
Management System (SMS). A non-exhaustive list of these instruments and publications
follows in §1.0.

1.0 RMI Law, Regulations, Rules, and Standards

The RMI Maritime Act 1990 (the “Maritime Act”) establishes the foundation for the RMI
Maritime Regulations (the “Maritime Regulations”). Compliance with RMI laws,
regulations, codes, rules, and standards is mandatory. Rules and standards that are
particularly important for ISM compliance include:

MI-103 Yacht Code

MI-118 Requirements for Seafarer Certification
MI-260 Rules for Marine Investigations
MI-293 Mobile Offshore Unit Standards
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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Marine Guideline should be directed to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, 11495
Commerce Park Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1506 USA. The most current version of all Republic of the Marshall Islands Marine Guidelines may be
found at www.register-iri.com.
MI-03, Rev. Apr/2016
2.0 RMI Marine Notices

Compliance with RMI Marine Notices is mandatory as they are an extension of the
Maritime Regulations. Marine Notices which are particularly relevant to ISM compliance
are listed below. Many of these are already referred to in MN 2-011-13.

Notice Title
MN 2-011-14 Maintenance and Inspection of Fire Protection Systems
and Appliances
MN 2-011-16 International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
MN 2-011-33 Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Inspection and Certification Program
MN 2-011-37 Lifesaving Appliances and Systems
MN 2-011-39 Piracy, Armed Robbery, and the Use of Armed Security
MN 2-011-47 Plans and Procedures to Recover Persons from the Water
MN 2-013-2 MARPOL Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
MN 2-013-4 Approval for Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans for Oil and/or
Noxious Liquid Substances
MN 2-013-12 MARPOL Annex VI, Chapter 4 – Regulations on the Carbon Intensity of
International Shipping
MN 2-014-1 Ballast Water Management
MN 5-034-1 Safety Inspection Program
MN 5-034-3 Operational Safety Checklist for SOLAS 74/78 Requirements
MN 7-038-2 Minimum Safe Manning Requirements for Vessels
MN 7-038-4 Principles of Watchkeeping
MN 7-041-1 Entering Enclosed Spaces – Safety Precautions
MN 7-041-5 Electronic Record Books and Logbook Systems
MN 7-041-6 Nautical Chart and Publication Carriage and Electronic Chart Display and
Information System (ECDIS) Requirements
MN 7-042-1 Medical Care on Board Ship and Ashore: Medicine Chest, Recordkeeping,
Responsibilities and Training for Medical Care
MN 7-044-1 Accommodations, Recreational Facilities, Food, Catering, and Water
MN 7-045-1 Demonstrating Compliance of Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Services
MN 7-046-1 Articles of Agreement between the Master and Seafarers in the Merchant
Service of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Shipping Articles)
MN 7-049-1 Shipboard Occupational Health and Safety, including Hazardous Work
Issues for Seafarers Under 18 Years Old
MN 7-051-1 Payment of Wages – Account
MN 7-051-2 Minimum Hours of Rest
MN 7-052-1 Repatriation
MN 7-053-1 On Board Complaint Procedures

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3.0 RMI Marine Guidelines

Although implementing the guidance contained in an RMI Marine Guideline is not

mandatory, it is highly recommended and should be considered in complying with the
requirements. RMI Guidelines that are particularly relevant are as follows.

Guideline Title
MG 2-11-16 Maritime Cyber Risk Management
MG 2-13-3 Oil Record Book Guidelines
MG 2-14-1 Ballast Water Management
MG 5-34-2 Guidelines for Undergoing a Port State Control Inspection
MG 6-36-1 Guidelines on the Control of Ships in an Emergency
Notification and Reporting of Marine Casualties, Marine Incidents,
MG 6-36-2
Occurrences and Offenses
MG 7-41-5 Stowaways: Prevention of Unauthorized Access and Case Resolution
MG 7-44-1 Food Handling, Storage and Preparation
MG 7-45-1 Guidance on Seafarer Employment Agreements
MG 7-47-1 Guidance on Medical Exams and Certificates for Seafarers

The following IMO and ILO Conventions, to which the RMI is a Party, are particularly
significant for ISM compliance.

Convention Title
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’
BWM 2004
Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at
COLREG 72
Sea, 1972, as Amended
CSC 1972 International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972
LL 1966 & LL International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 and Protocol of 1988,
Protocol 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966
Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Convention for the
MARPOL
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973
MLC, 2006 Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as Amended
STCW
International Convention on Standards, Training, Certification and
Convention &
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, including the 2010 Manila amendments
STCW Code

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5.0 Codes under SOLAS

These codes are mandatory, where applicable, and must be addressed.

Code Title
CSS Code Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing
International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying
IBC Code
Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other
IGF Code
Low-Flashpoint Fuels
IMDG Code International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
IMSBC Code International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code
ISPS Code International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, (Part A)
Code for the Construction and Equipment of Mobile Offshore Drilling
MODU Code
Units (1979, 1989, and 2009 MODU Codes)
Polar Code International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
SPS Code Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships

6.0 IMO Resolutions and Circulars

Assembly Resolutions
Decisions of the Shipmaster with regard to Maritime Safety and
A.443(XI)
Marine Environment Protection, 15 November 1979
General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and Ship Reporting
Requirements, Including Guidelines for Reporting Incidents
A.851(20) involving Dangerous Goods, Harmful Substances and/or Marine
Pollutants, 27 November 1997, as amended by MEPC.138(53), 22
July 2005
A.1185(33) Procedures for Port State Control, 2023, 6 December 2023

Marine Environment Protection Committee Resolutions

2022 Guidelines for the development of a Ship Energy Efficiency
MEPC.346(78)
Management Plan (SEEMP), 10 June 2022

Maritime Safety Committee Circulars

Measures to Prevent Unlawful Acts Against Passengers and Crews
MSC.1/Circ.443
on Board Ships, 26 September 1986
Guidelines for Maintenance and Monitoring of On-Board Materials
MSC.1/Circ.1045
Containing Asbestos, 28 May 2002
Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and
MSC.1/Circ.1352/Rev.1
Securing (CSS Code), 15 December 2014
Revised Guidelines for the Preparation of the Cargo Securing
MSC.1/Circ.1353/Rev.2
Manual, 7 December 2020

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 Maritime Safety Committee Circulars
Amendments to the Elements to be Taken into Account when
MSC.1/Circ.1354 Considering the Safe Stowage and Securing of Cargo Units and
Vehicles in Ships (resolution A.533(13)), 30 June 2010
Unified Interpretation of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-5,
MSC.1/Circ.1426/Rev.1
24 November 2016
Guidance on the Training on and Operation of Emergency
MSC.1/Circ.1660 Personal Radio Devices in Multiple Casualty Situations, 28
November 2022

Joint Maritime Safety Committee and

Marine Environment Protection Committee Circulars
Guidance on the Qualifications, Training and Experience
Necessary for Undertaking the Role of the Designated Person
MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.6
Under the Provisions of the International Safety Management
(ISM) Code, 19 October 2007
MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.7 Guidance on Near-Miss Reporting, 10 October 2008

Joint Maritime Safety Committee and

Marine Environment Protection Committee Circulars
Revised Guidelines for the Operational Implementation of the
MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.8 International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Companies, 28
June 2013
Implementation of the ISM Code: Guidance to Companies
MSC/Circ.762-
Operating Multi-Flagged Fleets and Supplemental Guidelines to
MEPC/Circ.312
Administrations, 11 July 1996
MSC/Circ.1059-MEPC Procedures Concerning Observed ISM Code Major Non-
Circ.401 Conformities, 16 December 2002

7.0 Best Practice Industry Guidelines

Depending on the ship type and their relevance, the following best practice guidelines and
tools may be helpful in developing, implementing, and improving the SMS.

To assist in ISM compliance, the Administrator highly recommends using:

BIMCO
Guidelines on Ship and Voyage Specific Risk Assessment (SVSRA)
IMO
Revised Industry Counter Piracy Guidance
International Association of Drilling Contractors
Health, Safety and Environmental Case Guidelines for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
2009

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 International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
Assessment and Development of Safety Management Systems
Bridge Procedures Guide
Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations
Guidelines for the Preparation of Garbage Management Plans
Maritime Security: Guidance for the Ship Operator on the IMO International Ship and Port
Facilities Security (ISPS) Code
Model Ship Security Plan
Ship/Shore Safety Checklist for Bulk Carriers
Shipping and the Environment - A Code of Practice
Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
Tanker Safety Guide (Liquefied Gas)
ICS and International Shipping Federation (ISF) (a joint publication)
Guidelines on the Application of the IMO International Safety Management (ISM) Code
(This publication has essential guidance on risk management, safety culture, and
environmental management.)

ISF
Guidelines on Good Employment Practice ( ISF)
ILO Maritime Labour Convention 2006: A Guide for the Shipping Industry
Marlins English Language Test for Seafarers
On Board Training Record Book for Deck Ratings
On Board Training Record Book for Engine Ratings
On Board Training Record Book for Engineer Cadets
On Board Training Record Books for Deck Cadets
Personal Training and Service Record Book
The STCW Convention: Incorporating STCW Checklists
Watchkeeper (IMO/ILO work hour record program) (ISF)

Joint Publications
Industry Non-Governmental Organizations Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and
Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf
of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea
(BMP5)
ICS/OCIMF/IAPH International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and
Terminals
ICS/OCIMF Peril at Sea and Salvage - A Guide for Masters
ICS/ISF Pirates and Armed Robbers - Guidelines on
Prevention for Masters and Ship Security
Officers

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 Joint Publications
ICS/OCIMF Prevention of Oil Spillages through Cargo
Pumproom Sea Valves
ICS/World Shipping Council Safe Transport of Containers by Sea -
Guidelines on
Best Practices
OCIMF/CDI//ICS/SIGGTO Ship-to-Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum,
Chemicals, and Liquefied Gases
BIMCO, Intercargo, ICS, ISF, Intertanko, Shipping Industry Guidance on the Use of Oily
OCIMF Water Separators ensuring Compliance with
MARPOL
Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)
International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPFH)

8.0 The International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

ISO 31000:2018 addresses the entire management system that supports the design,
implementation, maintenance, and improvement of risk management processes.

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