Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in most cases. The International Safety Management (ISM) Code requires a company to designate a Designated Person Ashore (DPA). The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code requires it to designate a Company Security Officer (CSO). Neither code says that person must be an employee, so many operators use an external DPA or CSO, subject to their flag administration's requirements. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 don't require a named quality or environmental manager at all. An outsourced manager supports your top management, who stay accountable for the system. We can fill any of these roles on retainer, as interim cover, or as a mentor to your in-house team.

ISO 9001:2026 was published on 16 September 2026, and certified organizations have three years to transition from the 2015 edition. The core stays the same: customer focus, the process approach, risk-based thinking and continual improvement. The main changes strengthen leadership: top management must actively promote a quality culture and ethical behaviour, and take clearer, evidence-based accountability for driving improvement. The quality policy must now link to the organization's strategic direction, risks and opportunities are treated separately, and staff awareness now covers quality culture and ethics. Climate change considerations, added by a 2024 amendment, carry forward. We can run a gap analysis against the new edition and plan your transition.

A Quality Management System (QMS) is the documented way your organization makes sure it consistently delivers what customers and regulations require: clear processes, responsibilities, records, and a cycle of checking and improving. ISO 9001 is the international standard for a QMS. It is rarely mandatory, but many charterers, shipyards, port authorities and large customers expect it from their suppliers. Quality and safety don't need to be tackled one after the other. The same disciplines, consistent processes, clear responsibilities and fixing root causes, strengthen both at once. Research supports this: a study of nearly 1,000 companies found a measurable drop in injury rates after they adopted ISO 9001 (Levine and Toffel, Management Science, 2010). For vessel operators, a QMS can be built into your existing Safety Management System (SMS), so you run one integrated system, not two.

Yes, carefully. AI helps us work faster. Our consultants check every result, and your information stays confidential.

Yes. Document reviews, gap analyses, training and project meetings can all be done by video. We plan on-board visits when they add value or are required. And when you'd rather meet face to face, we travel. Our team is used to working on board and ashore around the world.

No. "Safety Management Manual" (often shortened to SMM) is the term the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, section 11.3, uses for the documentation that describes and implements a company's Safety Management System (SMS). The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) uses the same definition in its Recommendation No. 41. In practice, your Safety Management Manual is all of that documentation together: policies, procedures, forms, instructions and records. The ISM Code leaves the format to the company, so it can be digital, paper or both, and stored wherever works best, as long as each ship carries the documentation relevant to it. We help operators organize their Safety Management Manual so crews can find what they need quickly, often with a well-structured digital system.

We gather evidence, interview the people involved, and apply structured root-cause analysis to find out why the accident or occurrence happened, not just what happened. Our team's background includes regulatory and investigative roles. You get findings and corrective actions that strengthen your Safety Management System (SMS) and hold up to outside scrutiny.

Yes. We scale the system to the operation. A two-vessel fishing company doesn't need the same volume of documentation as a cruise line. What matters is that your procedures fit how your vessels actually work. Our team has worked across fishing, passenger, cargo, offshore and port operations.

Yes, and for most operators it's the better approach. One integrated system means one set of procedures, one audit schedule and less duplication for crews. We design integrated systems that meet International Safety Management (ISM) Code, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements without burying your people in paperwork.

We compare your current documents and day-to-day practice against the requirements that apply to you: the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, domestic regulations or your own procedures. You get a clear report of findings ranked by risk and a practical action plan. Many clients use it to prepare for external audits or Port State Control inspections.

The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is the direct link between your vessels and top management. They monitor how the Safety Management System (SMS) is working and make sure safety concerns get resources. Smaller operators often outsource the role. Mor Ocean's team has served as DPA and can take on the role on retainer, or train and support an in-house DPA.

Most operators go from gap analysis to a certification audit in about 3–9 months. The time depends on the jurisdiction, how prepared you are, and the resources you can commit. The requirements may come from the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, from a flag state's domestic Safety Management System (SMS) regulations, or from the ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) standards. We start by identifying which regimes apply to your vessels, then run a gap analysis so you know exactly what's missing before the auditor arrives.

A Safety Management System (SMS) is the documented way your company manages safety: policies, procedures, responsibilities, reporting, audits and continual improvement. Ships trading internationally need one under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, and many operators need one under domestic flag-state regulations or client contracts. Even when it isn't mandatory, a practical SMS lowers risk and makes inspections easier. We'll help you work out what applies to your fleet.