BG Verkehr / Dienststelle Schiffssicherheit
Referat ISM/ILO - Bereich ISM-Code
Brandstwiete 1
20457 Hamburg
Fax: +49 40 361 37-204
Tilo Berger
Phone: +49 40 361 37-213
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Sven Reese
Phone: +49 40 361 37-313
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Kathrin Saß
Phone: +49 40 361 37-260
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Florian Reise
Phone: +49 40 361 37-214
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Referat ISM/ILO - Bereich ISM-Code
Brandstwiete 1
20457 Hamburg
Fax: +49 40 361 37-204
Tilo Berger
Phone: +49 40 361 37-213
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Sven Reese
Phone: +49 40 361 37-313
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Kathrin Saß
Phone: +49 40 361 37-260
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Florian Reise
Phone: +49 40 361 37-214
Mail: ism-mlc@bg-verkehr.de
Circulars and Infos
The Ship Safety Division of the BG Verkehr regularly informs current topics of ship safety and maritime labour law.
Safety Bulletins 
The Safety Bulletins are intended to support the shipping company and crew with the implementation of a safety culture on board. Various references to actual incidents and hazards assist in pinpointing possible weaknesses in occupational health and safety measures of particular operational procedures and reorganizing them. At the same time, our Safety Bulletins instigate to critically question and potentially correct one's own behaviour as well as the safety measures in place.
ISM Circulars provide information about new or amended safety-relevant developments
Our ISM-Rundschreiben provide important and up-to-date information for maritime shipping, this includes
- the release of new or amended national and international requirements,
- safety-relevant findings or
- safety alerts.
Find all valid Circulars at a glace:
- Publication of MSC Circulars of the IMO
- Annex 1: MSC.1/Circ.1578: Guidelines on safety during abandon ship drills using lifeboats
- Annex 2: MSC.1/Circ.1576: Unified interpretation of the provisions of SOLAS relating to the annual testing of VDR, S-VDR, AIS and EPIRB
- Annex 3: MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1: ECDIS - Guidance for good practice
- Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) by PSC on hours of rest acc. to STCW
- Annnex 1: Press release von Paris MoU
- Annex 2: Press release von Black Sea MoU
- Annex 3: Questionnaire for the CIC
- Annex 4: Verification of hours of work and hours of rest according to the Maritime Labour Act (Seearbeitsgesetz)
- Info-Mail on SOLAS amendments noise protection, fire protection, recovery of people, safety of passenger ships
- Annex 1: Res. MSC.337(91) - Adoption of the Code on noise levels on board ships
- Annex 2: Res. MSC.338(91) - Adoption of amendments to SOLAS
- Annex 3: MSC.1/Circ.1447 - Guidelines for the development of plans and procedures for recovery of persons from the water
- Annex 4: MSC.1/Circ.1446-Rev.1 - Recommended interim measures for passenger ship companies to enhance the safety of passenger ships
- Maintenance acc. to ISM Code 10.1
- Annex 1: MSC/Circ.850 - Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances
- Annex 2:MSC.1/Circ.1432 - Revise guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fire-protection systems and appliances
- Annex 3: Res. A.951(23) - Imporved guidelines for marine portable fire extinguishers
- Annex 4: MSC.1/Circ.1318 - Guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of fixed carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing systems
- Annex 5: MSC.1/Circ. 1206 Rev.1 - Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats
- Annex 6: MSC/Circ.1047 - Guidelines for monthly shipboard inspection of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits by ships' crews
- Annex 7: MSC/Circ.1114 - Guidelines for period testing of immersion suits and anti-exposure suit seams and closures
- Info-Mail on amendments to MARPOL Annexes IV and V
- Annex 1: Res. MEPC.200(62) - Amendments of MARPOL Annex IV (Special Area Provisions and the Designation of the Baltic Sea as a Special Area under MARPOL Annex IV)
- Annex 2: Res. MEPC.201(62) - Revised MARPOL Annex V
- Annex 3: Res. MEPC.219(63) - 2012 Guidelines for the Implementation of MARPOL Annex IV
- Annex 4: Res. MEPC.220(63) - -2012 Guidelines for the development of Garbage Management Plans
- Info-Mail on MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.2 - List of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments
- Annex 1: MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.2 - Amendments to the list of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments
- Annex 2: developed by Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr: List of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments (MSC.1/Circ.1371), as amended by MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.1 and Add.2
- Info-Mail on recently published IMO Circulars
- Annex 1: MSC.1/Circ.1415 - Amendments to the IAMSAR Manual
- Annex 2: MSC.1/Circ.1426 - Unified interpretation of SOLAS regulation II-1/3-5
- Annex 3: MSC.1/Circ.1428 - Pilot transfer arrangements
- Annex 4: MSC.1/Circ.1429 - Clarification of SOLAS reguöations V/19.2.3.4 and V/19.2.9.2
- Info-Mail regarding a notice of the Indian Flag State authority on the usage of satellite based communication equipment such as Irridium and Thuraya in Indian territorial waters
- Annex: Notice of the Indian Flag State authority on the prohibition the usage of satellite based communication equipment such as Irridium and Thuraya in Indian territorial waters
- Info-Mail on IMO Resolution on the topics: pilot transfer arrangements, minimum safe manning, entering enclosed spaces, Port State Control
- Annex: Res. A.1045(27) - Pilot transfer arrangements, Res. A.1047(27) - Principles of minimum safe manning, Res. A.1050(27) - Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships, Res. A.1052(27) - Procedures for Port State Control, 2011
- Amendments to SOLAS regulations V/18 and V/23
- Annex 1: Res. MSC.308(88) - Adoption of amendments to the InternationalConvention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1252 - Guidelines on annual testing of the automatic identification system (AIS)
- Annex 3: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1375 - Unified interpretaton of SOLAS Regulation V/23
- Assessment of on-load release and retrieval mechanism and procedures for the defined exchange program
- Annex 1: Questionnaire for the registration of existing "On load hook systems" in life boats and rescue boats on board German flagged vessels
- Annex 2: Res. MSC.317(89) - Adoption of amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended
- Annex 3: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1392 - Guidelines for evaluation and replacement of lifeboat release and retrieval systems
- Annex 4: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1393 - Early application of new SOLAS Regulation III/1.5
- Guidance on providing safe working conditions for securing of containers
- Annex 1: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1352 - Amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code)
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1353 - Revised guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual
- Annex 3: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1263 - Revised recommendations in the safety of personnel during container securing operations
- Procedures for training, including instructions related to disabled person and person with reduced mobility
- Annex 1: Circular MSC/Circ.735 - Recommendation on the design and operation of passenger ships to respond to elderly and disabled persons' needs
- Annex 2: Verordnung (EU) Nr. 1177/2010 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 24. November 2010 über die Fahrgastrechte im See- und Binnenschiffsverkehr und zur Änderung der Verordnung (EG) Nr.2006/2004
- Info-Mail on Information about Emission Control Areas in North America and the US Caribbean Sea2011
- Annex 1: Circular MEPC.1/Circ.723 - Information on North American Emission Control Area (ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI
- Annex 2: Circular MEPC.1/Circ.755 . Information on the United States Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area under MARPOL Annex VI
- Info-Mail zu Interpretation SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.2 - Bridge navigational watch alarm system
- Annex 1: Letter to IMO by German government regarding BNWAS functional equivalent arrangement in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/19, 62321.3/1-SOLAS chapter V/19, SLS 14/Circ.
- Annex 2: Statement by the German government
- Annex 3: Circular SLS.14/Circ.438 - SOLAS, Exemption accepted under regulation V/19.2.2.4, Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS), Communication by the Government of Germany
- Info-Mail on Emergency towing procedures on ships according to SOLAS Reg. II-1/3-4 (MSC.256(84))
- Annex 1: ISM Circular 06-2009: Emergency towing procedures on ships according to SOLAS Reg. II1/3-4 (MSC.256(84))
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1255 - Guidelines for owners/operators on preparing emergency towing procedures
- Info-Mail on MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.1
- Annex 1: MSC.1/Circ.1371: List of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments
- Annex 2: MSC.1/Circ.1371/Add.1: List of codes, recommendations, guidelines and other safety- and security-related non-mandatory instruments
- Annex 3: Consolidated list by the Ship Safety Division
- Info-Mail on publication German translation of MSC.1/Circ.1352 & MSC.1/Circ.1353 in the Verkehrsblatt (Transport Gazette)
- Annex 1: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1352 - Änderungen der Richtlinie für die sachgerechte Stauung und Sicherung von Ladung bei der Beförderung mit Seeschiffen (CSS-Code)
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1353 - Neufassung der Richtlinien für die Erstellung des Ladungssicherungshandbuchs (CSS-Code)
- 1. Entry into Force of revised Annex I of MARPOL 73/78, Resolution MEPC.187(59) and 2. Changes in the Oil Record Book Part I and II effective from 1. January 2011
- Annex 1: MEPC.1/Circ.736 - Guidance for recording of operations in the Oil Record Book Part I – Machinery space operations (all ships)
- Annex 2: "18. Verordnung Umweltschutz-See", Bgbl. II No.32 p.1252-1272
- Construction, installation, maintenance and inspection / survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation
- Annex 1: Res. MSC.256(84) - SOLAS Amendments
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1331 - Guidelines for construction, installation, maintenance and inspection/survey of means of embarkation and disembarkation
- Info-Mail on changes to load line marks for seaoing vessels flying the Federal flag, here: abolition of the supplement "SB" in the load line mark (in German only)
- Announcement: Changes to load line marks for seaoing vessels flying the Federal flag, here: abolition of the supplement "SB" in the load line mark (in German only)
- Info-Mail on Ballastwater Convention Norway / ODS Recordbook
- Annex: ISM Info by the Ship Safety Division
- National ratification of the Ballast Water Convention in Norway from 1. July 2010, additional Information to our ISM Info dated 30.06.2010
- Entry into Force of revised Annex VI, Resolution MEPC.176(58), Record Book for ozone depleting substances (ODS Record Book) in accordance with Regulation 12(6)
- Info-Mail on waste water - cargo hold washing water - bilge water
- Annex 1: Circular MEPC.1/Circ.685 - Discharge of waste water from cruise ships in semi-closed and closed sea areas
- Annex 2: Circular MEPC.1/Circ.675 - Discharge of cargo hold washing water in the Gulfs Area and Mediterranean Sea Area under MARPOL Annex V
- Annex 3: Circular MEPC.1/Circ.677 - Guide to diagnosing contaminants in oily bilge water to maintain, operate and troubleshoot bilge water treatment systems
- Info-Mail as addition to Info-Mail 05/2009 - Measures to prevent accidents with lifeboats
- Annex 1: Translation of the Circular MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1 - "Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung von Unfällen mit Rettungsbooten" in "Verkehrsblatt" 2009, no. 19, p.675-681
- Annex 2: Translation of the Circular MSC.1/Circ.1326 including the Corrigendum MSC.1/Circ.1326/Corr.1 - "Klarstellung zu SOLAS-Regel III/19" in "Verkehrsblatt" 2009, no. 19, p.682
- Annex 3: Corrigendum to MSC.1/Circ.1326
- Info-Mail zu Revised recommendation on safety of personnel during container securing operations
- Annex 1: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1263 - Revised recommendation on safety of personnel during container securing operations
- Annex 2: "E 2 Merkblatt für das Laschen von Containern durch die Schiffsbesatzung" by the See-Berufsgenossenschaft
- Long-range identification and tracking systems (LRIT)
- Annex 1: Res. MSC.263(84) - Revised performance standards and functional requirements for the long-range identification and tracking of ships
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1256 - Guidance on the implementation of the LRIT system
- Annex 3: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1257 - Guidance on the survey and certification of compliance of ships with the requirement to transmit LRIT information
- Resolution MSC.216(82)/Annex 1 - Adoption of SOLAS amendments & Inspection and maintenance of immersion suits
- Annex 1: Res. MSC.216(82) - SOLAS amendments
- Annex 2: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1243 - Unified interpretation of SOLAS Chapter III
- Annex 3: Circular MSC/Circ.1047 - Guidelines for monthly shipboard inspection of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits by ships crews
- Annex 4: Circular MSC/Circ.1114 - Guidelines for periodic testing of immersion suit and anti-exposure suit seams and closures
- Annex 5: Circular MSC.1/Circ.1207 - Early implementation of draft SOLAS regulation III/19.3.3.4
- Info-Mail on the requirement of the International AFS Certificate from 20.11.2008(Mail in German only)
Those ISM Circulars and ISM Info-Mails that were issued by the See-Berufsgenossenschaft up until 31st December 2009 remain valid.