The International Safety Management Code for the safe operation of ships and the prevention of pollution became mandatory for all shipping operators, by world-wide international convention, in 2002. The Code lays down a wide-ranging series of standards covering every aspect of a ship's operations and also the shore-side activities that impact upon those operations. Compliance with the Code is confirmed by a Safety Management Certificate which is issued every five years and the Company underwent its most recent audit in May 2003.

The Huelin-Renouf Shipping Group's operates mv Huelin Dispatch and in September 1999 the Company embarked upon compliance with the Code and employed a member of staff who had recently qualified in Maritime Studies from the Southampton Institute to draw up the Company's own safety manual in accordance with the strict requirements of Germanischer Lloyd, the Company's qualification body. In the event the Company achieved compliance two years early in 2000, a tribute not only to the thoroughness with which the manual was prepared but also the Company's commitment to improving the standards and safety of maritime affairs at sea for their own vessel.

Operations manager and director Trevor du Feu is the Code's designated person ashore. "The Code covers every aspect of mv Huelin Dispatch's operations from the responsibilities and authority of the master to the reporting of accidents and even a health, safety, drugs and alcohol policy," he explains. "The Code is contained in a manual, copies of which are kept ashore and on the vessel, and this manual is continually updated and revised as necessary. The purpose of the manual is to document the Safety Management System developed to ensure that all conditions, activities and tasks ashore and on board affecting safety and environmental protection are plane, organised, executed and controlled in accordance with legislative and Company requirements."The Code reflects the Company’s approach to controlling safety and lays down safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment, establishes safeguards against all identified risks and continuously improves safety management skills of the personnel ashore and on board the ship.

“We have to ensure that the Manual is always current, effective and well-understood,” says Trevor du Feu. “It is extremely proactive since it places an emphasis on the prevention of events rather than dependence on detection and rectification after the occurrence.” Airports.

Background | Vessel