Seven receive ISMA code accreditation

SEVEN of the 35 members of the International Ship Managers' Association (ISMA) have received their ISMA quality assurance certificates, according to the association.

Another nine members have applied for their audits and are either undergoing accreditation (four companies) or are awaiting the full audit to start in the next three months.

Of the remaining 19 members, 11 have undergone an intermediate audit to ascertain that they are progressing purposefully towards code accreditation.

These intermediate audits have to be carried out by members of the Audit Body about 18 months after a company has joined ISMA.

The Audit Body, which last met in November, is now auditing ISMA members to include the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) International Safety Management (ISM) code. The ISMA Code exceeds all the elements of the ISM Code.

ISMA Code certificates presented in the future will reflect the incorporation of the ISM Code.

The ISM Code will be administered by flag states and, although not expected to be mandatory internationally until after June 1998, the association believes that many governments will implement the code's requirements, at least for some classes of vessels, soon.

In view of this, ISMA has sought recognition from the IMO, according to an ISMA statement.

The president of ISMA, Captain Joachim Meyer, has written to the IMO, acquainting it of the association, its aims and objectives and seeking its approval of the ISMA Code.

An application has also been made for observer status for ISMA at the IMO.

''As the ISM Code will be administered by flag states, it is considered imperative that ISMA convinces flag states that the ISMA Code fulfils and exceeds all the requirements of the ISM Code,'' the statement said.

Meanwhile, ISMA's executive committee is co-ordinating a campaign for members to approach flag states with which they have close contacts.

In a related development, ISMA has formed a four-man sub-committee, including a member from Lloyd's Register, to finalise its Code for Crew Managers.

The final version will be considered by the executive committee at its meeting on March 3.

Guidance notes would be produced by code-qualified members and those undergoing audit, with supporting input from the audit body.

These would relate actual experiences and problems encountered, how they had been overcome and give general advice to members on progression towards code accreditation.

The notes would also include a directory of personnel willing to answer queries from the membership or willing to assist members in their preparatory work.

A White Book (register) of ISMA activities is being developed, which will also be a record of the history of ISMA, its members and officials.

A questionnaire will be sent out seeking information from members on their company profile, numbers and nationalities of crew and training provided.