Monday 28 December 2015

Ensure Safety Of Maritime Environment With International Safety Management Code

ISM Code, also termed as International Safety Management, was introduced for safe management of ships. Introduced in 1998, the mission of the code is to address the concerns of poor management standards and practices in ships. The main purpose of the code is to provide guidelines for safe operation and management of ships as well as prevention of pollution. Due to the emerging number of serious accidents during the late 1980s led to the development of ISM code. The main objective of the code was to avoid any damage to the environment, prevent human injury, ensure safety, and loss of life. Implementation and assessment of safety of ships is the prime objective of International Safety Management code.

On July 1, 1998, ISM code became mandatory under International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea. Since its introduction, the ISM code became essential for:

● Ship owners and operators
● Shipping companies
● Maritime administration
● Shipbuilders

Along with safety of ships, vector charts play a crucial role in smooth sea navigation. Navigating the sea in its full intensity is never an easy job. Also known as ENC charts, vector charts are a graphic format in which charts are shown in a schematic manner. By presenting water depths precisely by color layers, vector charts ensure smooth navigation.  There are many online companies from where you can buy maritime charts at cost-effective rates. So, choose a best online firm to buy vector charts for smooth navigation of ships.

Buy Informational Cruising Guides For Unforgettable And Safe Voyage

Cruises have become better interesting options for family vacations, single getaways, and honeymoons. Nowadays, an enjoyable cruise vacation would make quite an impression on one’s mind and make them return time and again for the experience. Unlike small boats and houseboats, cruises offer luxury to the galore and all the travelers would have a feeling of living in a star hotel rather than a ship. All the amenities offered in cruises are equivalent to the kind of hospitality offered in grand hotels and resorts of the highest cadre and make the travelers feel at the top of the world for the duration of the vacation.

Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets - all of these shore side activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the on board amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places - tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries.

If you are a novice and planning for a voyage on the unfamiliar routes then cruising guides will be your best aid. These guides offer color photographs, nautical charts, and in-depth information about how to successfully navigate local waters. So, pack your bags, hit the waters, explore the world in your own manner!

Tuesday 1 December 2015

A Few Frequently Used Nautical Terms You Must Know About As A Sailor

If you own a boat, the passion of sailing perhaps runs in your blood. Only a sailor knows that the adrenaline rush of gliding across ocean waves with no boundaries ahead is perhaps incomparable to the excitement of any other leisure activity. However, even if you are a leisure sailor, it is important to familiarize yourself with a few crucial nautical terms that are commonly used in marine navigation. Let’s take a look.

Longitude and Latitude
Longitude and latitude are two imaginary lines drawn across the earth’s surface. You can tell any location on the earth using these two lines. The lines that run from east to west and are parallel to the equator and are known as latitudinal lines, while lines that run from north to south are referred to as longitudinal lines.

Distance and Speed
Nautical mile is the unit of distance that is used in ocean travel. It is basically defined as one minute of latitude. On the other hand, the speed when travelling in sea is measured in knot that is defined as 1 nautical mile per hour.

Depth and Height
The depth and height in sea is usually measured in meters. However, the water height is actually higher than the device displays, due to the presence of tide.

You can browse the internet to learn about a few more marine navigation terms. You can also purchase nautical charts for sale from online stores that are in compliance with the code of federal regulations.

Ensure Safe Operation Of Ships With The Standard ISM Code

For the safe operation of ships and for pollution prevention, ISM code is mandatory. The International Safety Management Code is an international code which is established against the pollution and safety risks involved in the shipboard operations. The code was adopted in November 1993 by the IMO as resolution A.741(18). Later on 1st July 1998, the ISM code came into force through SOLAS Chapter IX, ‘Management For The Safe Operation Of Ships’. The main objective of the ISM code is the prevention of loss of life or human injury, ensure safety at sea, avoid damage to the environment; particularly, the marine environment.

The origin of this mandatory code goes back to the late 1980s wherein, poor management in shipping was the mounting concern of the time. It was the time when high proportion of maritime accidents were estimated. Studies have shown that the shortcomings were mainly because of poor ship management, both at sea and ashore. To ensure safe operation of ships, in 1987, the Maritime Safety Committee was called upon to develop guidelines concerning shore-based and shipboard management. The terrible loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise in 1987 became a catalyst in the process.

Every ISM compliant ship is first audited by the company and later by Flag State Marine Administration in order to verify the effectiveness and fulfillment of the Safety Management System. As soon as the SMS is verified, the ship gets issued with the Safety Management Certificate. So, receive the ISM code and ensure the safe operation of ships.