The definition includes the term objective evidence in order to describe the quantitative/qualitative information, records, statements, facts pertaining to safety or to the existence and implementation of a safety management system element that can be verified because they are based either on observation, measurements or testing. In other words, a non-fulfilled requirement should at all times be written and incorporated in company’s SMS, Shipboard Manuals, IMO regulations etc.

ISM Code also defines that a Major non-conformity is any identifiable deviation that poses a serious threat to the safety of personnel or the ship or a serious risk to the environment that requires immediate corrective action and includes the lack of effective and systematic implementation of this Code.

Defining the terms: Non-Conformity vs Observations

What’s more, the Code separates Observations from Non-conformities clarifying that, an observation is a statement or fact made during a safety management audit and substantiated by objective evidence. In practice, an observation is not as sever or vital as a non-conformity and it does not require immediate actions. More specifically, an observation is an item for improvement so as not to result in a non-conformity. On the other hand, a non-conformity must be handled as soon as possible by the specified due date and should always be followed by a corrective and preventive action plan, including root cause analysis. This procedure should be monitored at all levels by the company.

Non-conformities, when identified, should be reported by those individuals who have the relevant authority. These are all department managers of the Office and the Master onboard vessel. Overall, company’s office and fleet are periodically inspected by many different parties. Non-conformities may arise during internal audits, ISM audits by the Classification Society, Port State Control inspection or Flag State surveys and from third party ISO audits. Except for the auditing procedure, non-conformities may be identified during normal operations on board and therefore, crew members should report them to the authorised managers or the master.

Handling Non-Conformities successfully

The severity of the requirements that has been identified as non-conformity sets the time period required to implement corrective and preventive actions. All Non-Conformities must be closed out after verification that any corrective and preventive action has been carried out by responsible personnel.

Office personnel should investigate and analyse the non-conformity aiming to identify the root cause. Afterwards, an action plan on how to correct the non-conformity should be decided as well as all actions need to be taken in order to prevent similar reoccurrences.

In case of shipboard audits, corrective actions should be decided between the Master and the Auditor, but the DPA (Designated Person Ashore) should finally review the incident and proceed, if appropriate, with modifications. Also, for vessel related non-conformities, it is necessary to communicate the preventive actions to the whole fleet.

As has already been stated, the actions taken to correct the non-conformities should be reviewed by the DPA, who is responsible to ensure that all staff related with the application of appropriate corrective and preventive action are proceeding as agreed; all corrective and/or preventive actions required are verified within the agreed time frames; and all Non Conformities are properly closed out by due date.

How to fill in “Non-Conformity” form properly: Important issues

The person that identifies a Non-Conformity is required to fill in a “Non-Conformity” form. A Non-Conformity form should contain information about:

• Site or Name (and IMO No) of the vessel,
• date of inspection
• originator
• due date and
• reference to the standard which has been disobeyed.

A description of the non-conformity should be included, followed by a description of corrective and preventive actions. Moreover, the root cause of its non-conformity should be analysed and reported into the non-conformity form. The monitoring procedure should be demonstrated in each Non-Conformity form to indicate and ensure the effective implementation of the corrective and preventive action and the date the Non-Conformity was closed out.