Crew Familiarisation and Training
The ISM Code doesn't just ask you to train the crew: it asks you to demonstrate that every new member knows their duties before the ship leaves port.
Operational Explanation
The ISM Code (paragraph 6) requires that every new crew member, and every member transferred to a new assignment related to safety and environmental protection, receive adequate familiarisation with their duties. The essential instructions to be given prior to sailing must be identified, documented and actually delivered, not simply listed in a procedure.
Familiarisation typically covers: the shipboard organisation and lines of communication, the location and use of safety and emergency equipment relevant to the individual's assignment, safety-critical operating procedures relevant to their role, and the duties assigned in the muster list. This complements, without replacing, the professional training required by STCW for the specific qualification.
Regulatory Reference
ISM Code, paragraph 6 (Resources and Personnel): the Company must ensure each ship is suitably manned with qualified, certificated and medically fit personnel, and that new personnel receive proper familiarisation with their duties; complementary professional training requirements under STCW.
Scope of Application
Every new crew member joining the ship, and every member transferred to a different assignment with safety or environmental protection responsibilities.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Identify, in the SMS procedure, the essential instructions to be given prior to sailing for each shipboard role.
- Conduct familiarisation on the shipboard organisation, lines of communication and duties assigned in the muster list.
- Verify practical knowledge of the location and use of the safety and emergency equipment relevant to the specific role.
- Document completion of familiarisation with the signature of the new member and the responsible officer, within the timeframe set by internal procedure (typically before sailing or within a limited number of days of joining).
- Schedule periodic refresher training for personnel already on board, not just for new arrivals.
Practical Example
Example of application: a new Third Officer, joining a few hours before departure, receives from the Chief Officer a documented briefing on shipboard organisation, muster duties, the location of PPE and internal communication procedures, with a completion signature before the ship leaves the berth.
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Familiarisation treated as a formality to be signed off, without real knowledge transfer | Crew nominally 'familiarised' but unprepared in a real emergency | Conduct familiarisation as an active briefing with a practical check, not just a signed form |
| Familiarisation postponed until after departure due to lack of time before joining | Ship under way with personnel not adequately instructed on safety duties | Always complete the essential instructions before departure, even in condensed form if time is limited |
| No periodic refresher for crew already on board, only for new arrivals | Knowledge deteriorates over time even for experienced personnel | Schedule periodic refresher training even for already-familiarised crew |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Treat familiarisation as an active briefing with a practical check, not a form to be signed.
- Always complete the essential instructions before departure, even in condensed form if time is limited.
- Schedule periodic refresher training even for crew who have been on board for some time.
Checklist
- Essential instructions per role identified and documented in the SMS procedure
- Familiarisation conducted and documented before departure
- Practical knowledge of safety equipment verified, not just declared
- Muster list duties clear to the new member
- Periodic refreshers scheduled even for experienced crew