Circular Letter
MSC-MEPC.7/Circ.6

GUIDANCE ON THE QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY FOR UNDERTAKING THE ROLE OF THE "DESIGNATED PERSON" UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE

(19 October 2007)

1. The Marine Environment Protection Committee at its fifty - sixth session (9 to 13 July 2007) and the Maritime Safety Committee at its eighty-third session (3 to 12 October 2007) noted that the Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-fourth session (30 May to 8 June 2001), agreed that the Designated Person has a key role in the development and implementation of the safety management system within a shipping company with a view to ensuring safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss life, and avoidance of damage to the environment, in particular to the marine environment and to property.

2. The Committees also agreed that there was an urgent need to provide guidance to shipping companies on the qualifications, training and experience for undertaking the role of Designated Person under provisions of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

3. Accordingly, the Committees developed Guidance on the qualifications, training and experience nacessry for undertaking the role of Designated Person under the provisions of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code as set out in the Annex.

4. Member Governments and international organizations concerned are recommended to bring this circular to the attention of all parties concerned.

Annex.

GUIDANCE ON THE QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE NECESSARY FOR UNDERTAKING THE ROLE OF THE DESIGNATED PERSON UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT (ISM) CODE

1. Introduction

The present Guidance applies to persons undertaking the role of the Designated Person under the provisions of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

2. Qualifications

2.1 Designated Person should have a minimum of formal education as follows:

.1 qualifications from a tertiary institution recognized by the Administration or by the recognized organization, within a relevant field of management, engineering or physical science; or

.2 qualifications and seagoing experience as a certified ship officer pursuant to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch - keeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended; or

.3 other formal education combined with not less than three years practical senior level experience in ship management operations.

3. Training

3.1 Designated Person should have undergone training relating to safety management elements in 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 applicable codes, guidelines and standards as appropriate;

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

.5 technical or operational aspects of safety management;

.6 appropriate knowledge of shipping and shipboard operations;

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

.8 effective communications with shipboard staff and senior management.