VIRSEC Vessel Safety Management Committee

Under the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers [Chapter 13.3 Company Duties], the Company must appoint a Safety Committee. The purpose of a Vessel Safety Management Committee is to ensure the safe working practices are being carried out on each vessel, and that there are the relevant personnel appointed responsibilities under the Section [13] and that all the relevant standards and practices are observed and maintained.

About Vessel Safety Management Committees

Standard A4.3, paragraph 2(d), requires the establishment of a safety committee and the appointment or election of safety representatives on board ships on which there are five or more seafarers. Please note that the Ship’s Master is counted as a seafarer. The Safety Committee is a forum for consultation between the master, safety officials and others of matters relating to health and safety. It may be used by individual employers for consultation with the Company and seafarers. Its effectiveness will depend on the commitment of its members, in particular that of the Master.

The Aim of the Course

The aim of this Fully Online, Introduction to the Vessel Safety Management Committee is to instruct the learner in the Companies duties,  the Employer’s duties, the various personnel, and their positions [of authority] and associated responsibilities of the Committee and the development of a positive ‘safety culture’ within the operation of the vessel.

Regulations Addressed

The Introduction to the Vessel Safety Management Committee Course has been developed with the following considerations:

Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers [Chapter 13]

Awarding Body

Learners who successfully complete this short, online course will receive a Certificate of Completion from VIRSEC.

Certification Renewal

There are no expiry dates placed on Introduction to the Vessel Safety Management Committee Course certificates. Learners do not currently have to undertake a refresher of this course unless directed to do so by the company they are working for.