Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS)

Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods (EmS) Guide:

This EmS Guide contains guidance on Emergency Response Procedures for Ships Carrying Dangerous Goods including the Emergency Schedules (EmS) to be followed in case of incidents involving dangerous substances, materials or articles, or harmful substances (marine pollutants), regulated under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

The purpose of this Guide is to provide guidance for dealing with fires and spillages (leakages) on board ships involving the dangerous goods listed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

In accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, all ships, and the companies responsible for their operation, are required to maintain a Safety Management System (SMS). Within the SMS, procedures for responding to potential shipboard emergencies are required. This Guide is intended to assist shipowners, ship operators and other parties concerned with developing such emergency response procedures, which should be integrated into the ship’s contingency plan.

In the event of a fire or spillage incident, initial actions should be carried out in accordance with the shipboard emergency plan. Where dangerous goods are involved, the responses in the emergency plan should be based on this Guide for specific dangerous goods having regard to, inter alia, the type of ship, the quantity and type of packaging of the dangerous goods and whether the goods are stowed on or under deck.

EMS Guide:

1. The EMS Guide contains guidance an Emergency Response Procedures for ships carrying Dangerous goods including the Emergency schedules to be followed in case of incidents involving dangerous substances materials or articles or harmful substances (marine pollutants), regulated under the IMDG Code.
2. In accordance with the ISM Code all ships & the companies responsible for their operations are required to maintain a SMS. Within the SMS, procedures for responding to potential shipboard emergencies are required. This guide (EMS Procedure) is intended to assist shipowners, shop operators & other parties concerned with a developing such emergency response procedure, which should be integrated into ships contingency plan.
3. The EMS guide is divided into two emergency schedules viz, Emergency Schedules for five & Emergency schedules for spillage.

Information contained in EMS Guide:-

1. Identification of Dangerous goods involved in order that specific EMS. Fire schedules for the cargoes may be consulted and appropriate action taken.
2. Emergency action and diagnosis.
3. The guide contains table for emergency related to fire & spillage & is listed under various schedules. Describing procedures for action to be taken in special circumstances.
4. Appendices – The appendices provide comprehensive information, a list of medicines / drugs and a list of chemicals referred to in this tables.