# Safety Management System (SMS) | Navatom Maritime Glossary
A Safety Management System (SMS) is the structured, documented system that lets company staff carry out the company's safety and environmental protection policies. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code requires one, under SOLAS Chapter IX. It is the main way a company shows that it meets the Code.

URL: https://navatom.com/glossary/safety-management-system

## Synonyms
- SMS
- Safety Management System

## Definition
## What Is a Safety Management System?
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured and documented system that enables company personnel to effectively implement the company's safety and environmental protection policies. Required by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code under SOLAS Chapter IX, the SMS is the primary mechanism through which ship operators demonstrate their commitment to safe operations.
Every company operating ships subject to the ISM Code must develop, implement, and maintain an SMS that covers both shore-side and shipboard operations.
## Key Components of an SMS
A compliant SMS encompasses several interconnected components. It begins with a safety and environmental protection policy that sets the company's objectives and guiding principles.
From there, it defines procedures and instructions for safe ship operation covering every aspect from navigation and cargo handling to maintenance and bunkering. Emergency preparedness is addressed through drills, contingency plans, and clearly documented response procedures for scenarios such as fire, collision, grounding, pollution, and man-overboard situations.
The SMS must also establish procedures for reporting and analyzing incidents, accidents, non-conformities, and hazardous occurrences, along with corrective action workflows. Internal audits and periodic management reviews ensure the system remains effective and is continuously improved.
## The Role of the SMS in ISM Compliance
The SMS serves as the documented evidence base that auditors examine during ISM Code verification. A well-maintained SMS directly supports the issuance and renewal of the Document of Compliance (DOC) for the company and the Safety Management Certificate (SMC) for each vessel.
Beyond regulatory compliance, an effective SMS reduces operational risk, improves crew awareness, and fosters a proactive safety culture across the fleet.
## How Ship Management Software Implements SMS
Ship management platforms digitize the entire SMS lifecycle. Document control modules manage policy versions and ensure that only current revisions are accessible on board.
Incident reporting workflows capture events in real time, trigger root-cause analysis, and track corrective actions to closure. Drill and exercise management ensures emergency preparedness requirements are met on schedule.
Audit modules plan internal audits, record findings, and monitor non-conformity resolution with automated escalation. Management review dashboards aggregate safety KPIs, trend data, and audit results into actionable summaries for senior leadership.
By centralizing these functions in a single cloud platform, companies eliminate paper-based inefficiencies and gain fleet-wide visibility into the health of their Safety Management System.

## Related Terms
- [ISM Code](https://navatom.com/glossary/ism-code) — The International Safety Management (ISM) Code is the international standard for managing and operating ships safely and preventing pollution. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted it through Resolution A.741(18). SOLAS Chapter IX makes it mandatory.
- [Designated Person Ashore](https://navatom.com/glossary/designated-person-ashore) — The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is a role that Section 4 of the ISM Code requires. The DPA monitors the safety and pollution-prevention side of each vessel’s operation. The DPA also makes sure each ship has enough resources and support from shore.
- [HSEQ](https://navatom.com/glossary/hseq) — HSEQ stands for Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. These four connected pillars are the foundation of maritime safety management. Companies put them into practice through the Safety Management System that the ISM Code requires.