On 1 June 2025, we introduced new requirements for safety management systems (SMS).
These changes affect all domestic commercial vessels. Find out what you need to do.
The changes relate to fatigue management, drugs and alcohol, operational procedures and more.
Check if your vessel is eligible for the new, simplified SMS.
If you're updating an existing SMS or developing a new SMS, follow the guidance below and the guidance about the changes so you comply.
The following templates are taken from the Guidelines for a safety management system. Read this document for information and checklists that can also help you create or modify your SMS.
We have also provided an online step by step guide that will help you go through each of the three categories of an SMS: vessels and operation, people and procedures.
- Company and vessel details form
- Crew details form DOCX31.82 KB
- IDM log DOCX215.3 KB
- Incident register DOCX25.55 KB
- Incident report form DOCX22.02 KB
- Initial safety induction training form DOCX26.95 KB
- Passenger record DOCX33.17 KB
- Planned inspection and maintenance program DOCX24.03 KB
- Risk register DOCX21.33 KB
- Safety management system revisions and annual ledger DOCX24.76 KB
- SVPM checklist DOCX315.8 KB
- Training and staff qualification record DOCX25.3 KB
- Vessel certificate record DOCX260.28 KB
- Vessel daily checks form DOCX27.85 KB
- Vessel log book DOCX30.19 KB