Shipboard Safety Officers-The Real Scoop

What is a Shipboard Safety Officer? Who needs one?

Typically commercial yachts and ships over 500 gross tons are required to have s ship board saftey officer. This is a mandated training requirement set by (ISM) International Safety Management. The on board member will usually attend a 3-4 day class where he or she will be trained on the following procedures and protocols.
General duties of the safety officer
Introduction to the ISM code
Onboard safety management systems
Legislative background
Careful review of methods of reporting and recording ISM info
Accident investigation
Third-party audits; internal audits
Risk assessment
Creating a safety culture on board
Carrying safety audits
International health and safety legislation
Hazard identification
Employer duties
The course aims to teach proper code for Safe and Working practices and should meet the IMO Model Course 3.11. and STCW A-II/2 and A-III/3.

Typically this officer shouldn’t be the captain or the medical person on board and is usually the Officer of the Watch. It’s mandated that safety officers on commercial vessels attain 2 years of consecutive sea service, if aboard a tank ship only 6 months is needed.

This course is given in the UK, US and various other MCA training facilities. This ticket gives a candidate nice leverage when job hunting allowing them to be much more versatile.