Recently IACS released guidance regarding Risk Assessment in Ship Operations. The development as well as the implementation of a safety management system also involves taking into consideration risk management. The development of a written procedure involves looking at the company’s activities and operations and identifying what could go wrong in order to decide what should be done to try to prevent it from being happening.
Regarding Risk Assessment paragraph 1.2.2.2 of the ISM Code states, “Safety management objectives of the company should …. establish safeguards against all identified risks”. Although this is a general requirement in the ISM Code, risk assessment of one form or another is a requirement in order to comply with most of its clauses. It is important to recognize that the company is responsible for identifying the risks associated with its particular ships, operations and trade. It is no longer sufficient to rely on compliance with generic statutory and class requirements, and with general industry guidance. These should now be seen as a starting point for ensuring the safe operation of the ship.
The ISM Code does not specify any particular approach to the management of risk, and it is for the company to choose methods appropriate to its organizational structure, its ships and its trades. It is important that the methods used must be systematic if assessment and response are to be complete and effective, and the entire risk assessmentshould be documented so as to provide evidence of the decision-making process.
For more information regarding IACS Guide to Risk Assessment in Ship Operations please click in the link below.
Source: IACS Guide to Risk Assessment in Ship Operations
Officer of the Watch 
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