Maritime Domestic Vessel, Safety Management Systems
A Maritime Domestic Vessel Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured set of procedures and policies that ensure safe operation and environmental protection for vessels operating within a country's domestic waters. It's a formalized approach to managing safety risks, establishing clear lines of communication, and outlining procedures for routine operations, emergency responses, and environmental protection. Essentially, it's a documented system that helps ship managers and operators maintain a safe and secure working environment.
Purpose:
An SMS aims to prevent accidents, injuries, and damage to property and the environment by proactively identifying and managing risks.
Key Components:
A typical SMS includes:
A documented safety and environmental protection policy.
Procedures for safe operation and environmental protection, based on the Canadian Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001).
Clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and communication channels between shore-based and onboard personnel.
Procedures for reporting accidents and non-conformities.
Emergency preparedness and response procedures.
Procedures for internal audits and reviews of the SMS.
A core element of an SMS is a thorough risk assessment of the vessel's specific operations. This assessment identifies potential hazards and outlines the measures taken to mitigate those risks, including who is responsible, what actions are taken, when they are taken, and how they are implemented.
Compliance:
Canadian domestic vessels are required to comply with Marine Safety Management System Regulations (MSMSR), which mandate the implementation of an SMS.
Tiered Approach:
The Canadian regulations use a tiered approach, classifying vessels into groups based on size, type, and operational characteristics to determine the specific SMS requirements for each vessel.
Ship Manager/Authorized Representative (AR):
The ship manager or AR is responsible for implementing and maintaining the SMS on board.