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Surveys, audits and PSCLesson 3 of 7

ISM Code audits: DOC, SMC and what auditors look for

You will know how the DOC and SMC audit cycle runs, how findings are graded and closed, and how a port State officer turns a broken item into an ISM deficiency.

16 minutes · For signed-up learners, free · Rules checked 20 October 2026

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The ISM Code is the one instrument that turns a pile of separate rules into a system. It does not tell you how to service a lifeboat or test a fire pump. It asks whether the company has procedures for doing those things, whether people follow them, whether problems are reported and fixed, and whether management notices when the system is not working. That is why a seized davit sheave can end up recorded not only as a life-saving appliance deficiency, but as an ISM deficiency against the whole company.

Port State control figures show how often this happens. In the Tokyo MOU region in 2025, “ISM” was the second most frequent detainable deficiency (200 cases), just behind fixed fire-extinguishing installations, and “maintenance of the ship and equipment (ISM)” was in the top ten. The Tokyo MOU singled out the “constant high number and high percentage of ISM related detentions over the years” in its foreword.

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The rest of this lesson, the interactive Shipboard ISM audit: which findings are non-conformities? and the quiz are open to signed-up learners. It's free, takes a minute, and opens every lesson in all 14 courses.

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In this lesson

  • Try it: Shipboard ISM audit: which findings are non-conformities?
  • In plain words
  • In detail
  • What the rules say
  • Flag and class notes
  • Key numbers
  • What inspectors find
  • Questions people ask
  • Quiz: 6 questions

Sources

  1. 1 IMO Resolution A.1188(33), 2023 Guidelines on implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations, adopted 6 December 2023 (revokes A.1118(30)), Annex, sections 1 to 4. https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/AssemblyDocuments/A.1188(33).pdf
  2. 2 IMO Resolution A.741(18), International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code), as amended up to MSC.353(92), sections 1.1, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14 (IMO publication; text as reproduced in the UK’s MSIS 2, withdrawn 10 April 2026). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-ism-code-msis-2/msis-2-international-management-code-for-the-safe-operation-of-ships-and-for-pollution-prevention-the-ism-code--2
  3. 3 IMO Resolution A.1185(33), Procedures for Port State Control, 2023, appendix 8, Guidelines for port State control officers on the ISM Code (superseded by resolution A.1206(34), Procedures for Port State Control, 2025, adopted 3 December 2025). https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/OurWork/IIIS/Documents/A%2033-Res.1185%20-%20PROCEDURES%20FOR%20PORT%20STATE%20CONTROL%2C%202023%20(Secretariat)%20(1).pdf
  4. 4 Tokyo MOU, Annual Report on Port State Control in the Asia-Pacific Region 2025, foreword and figure 8 (most frequent detainable deficiencies). https://www.tokyo-mou.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/ANN25.pdf
  5. 5 Panama Maritime Authority, Resolution No. 107-OMI-292-DGMM of 13 May 2024 adopting resolution A.1188(33). https://www.panamashipregistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Resolucion-107-OMI-292-Esp-Eng.pdf
  6. 6 UK Department for Transport, The Merchant Shipping (International Safety Management (ISM) Code) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/194). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-merchant-shipping-international-safety-management-ism-code-regulations-2026
  7. 7 IIMS, Rising detention rates and recurring areas of concern in Paris MoU Annual Report 2025 (July 2026). https://www.iims.org.uk/rising-detention-rates-and-recurring-areas-of-concern-in-paris-mou-annual-report-2025/
  8. 8 IMO, The International Safety Management (ISM) Code (adoption and amendments with entry-into-force dates). https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/Pages/ISMCode.aspx
  9. 9 ABS, Brief: III 12 (ISM Code implementation guidelines revision, completion targeted for 2028). https://ww2.eagle.org/en/rules-and-resources/regulatory-updates/regulatory-news/iii-12.html
  10. 10 Panama Maritime Authority, Merchant Marine Circular MMC-379, Procedure for Port State Control, 2025 amendments (resolution A.1206(34)), section 3.5, updated July 2026. https://www.panamashipregistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MMC-379-Procedure-for-PSC-2025-30-07-2026.pdf
  11. 11 IMO, Maritime Safety Committee, 110th session (18 to 27 June 2025), meeting summary. https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/Temporary-MSC-110-Summary.aspx

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