The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), through the Maritime Safety Service (MSS), gathers some of its technical personnel from the Central Office to regional offices for the five (5)-day ISM Code Auditors Course starting today, 25 July 2022, at Ermita, Manila.

In his welcoming remarks, MARINA Maritime Safety Service (MSS) and Shipyards Regulation Service (SRS) Director Engineer Ramon Hernandez emphasized the ‘absolute need’ for these maritime personnel to undergo ISM Code training for them to have a deeper grasp of regulation codes, ‘understanding of the conventions applicable to ships; to determine various key aspects of marine operations; applying auditing skills; techniques; and to be able to conduct an effective ISM audit that will safely, and satisfy the needs and expectations of interested parties in the industry.

Some of MARINA technical personnel participating in the training course have a prior experience working in shipping companies as superintendents, ship managers, ship officers, among others.
Subject matter experts — ISM/ISPS/MCL Trainer Mr. Eri Darmasetiawan of RINA Indonesia; RINA Classification and Certification Philippines’Mr. Rufino De Dios Jr., and Mr. Jessie Suficiencia, are also present in the training.

Mr. Eri Darmasetiawan of RINA Indonesia will cover the five-day lectures of the ISM Code Auditors — encompassing the requirements of the ISM Code, its interpretation, and application; ISM Code for ship operations, emergency preparedness; Audits on the Safety Management System with reference to UNI EN ISO 19011:2012; and the Mandatory Rules, Regulations, Codes, Guidelines and Standards.

Meanwhile, in her inspirational message, MARINA OIC-Deputy Administrator for Planning Ms. Sonia Malaluan stressed the importance of having a better understanding of all of the requirements of the ISM code.

Recognizing that no two shipping companies or ship owners are the same, and that ships operate under a wide range of different conditions, the Code is based on general principles and objectives, which include assessment of all identified risks to one company’s ships, personnel and the environment and establishment of appropriate safeguards.

“The critical point is always the implementation, so we need to have a better understanding, and a uniform interpretation, and application of the ISM Code,” Ms. Malaluan stressed.
It should be noted that the purpose of ISM Code is to provide an international standard for the safe management, operation of ships, and pollution prevention.

Under the Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) Program 6, the MARINA is committed to provide capacity-building activities to promote sustainable operational developments that will improve the abilities, skills; strengthen relationships; and values to improve the performance of MARINA as a maritime administration geared towards becoming a highly-competent organization.

Meanwhile, to serve as training observers are former MSS Director, and currently MARINA 13 Regional Director Jeffrey Bangsa; and MRO-NCR Director Engineer Marc Anthony Pascua.

The series of training exercises, which have started today, 25 July 2022, will conclude on 29 July 2022.