Though many shipping companies and seafarers have embraced the ISM Code as it was intended, there are others who have yet to grasp the fundamental ideas behind the Code and the way in which a safety management system should be structured and operated. A number of serious misconceptions and misunderstandings persist and this guide attempts to provide an opportunity to overcome these. This revised and updated second edition explains in a non-technical and straightforward way the underlying concepts and philosophy behind the ISM Code. It then sets out a range of frequently asked questions and answers as well as a ten-point checklist for preparing a safety management system. It is written in a style that masters, safety officers and training officers can readily adapt as a basic structure for an on board training course.