Responsibility & authority

Responsibilities, reporting lines, and decision‑making authority within the Safety Management System (SMS) clarifies the duties of master, officers and shore‑based roles.

5.1 Master

Master’s responsibility

The Master must:

• Take all necessary steps and precautions to prevent accidents, incidents, and hazardous occurrences; safeguard life on board, the yacht, operations, and the environment; and actively encourage compliance with Company policies.
• Issue orders and instructions clearly and simply, and ensure the accuracy of controlled documentation on board.
• Notify Yachting Concept Monaco as soon as possible of any failures or deficiencies that may affect Class or Statutory Certification, using normal lines of communication with the Yacht Manager.
• Promptly report incidents and collate and preserve evidence pending investigation by Yachting Concept Monaco and Flag State.
• Ensure a full and proper handover to an authorised and suitably qualified individual.
• Ensure original, valid documents are on board for each crew member to demonstrate compliance with the Minimum Safe Manning Document and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), and that digital copies are available online.
• Maintain the vessel’s full certification at all times and ensure the certification section of Deepblue© is updated with the latest versions of certificates, including expiry dates and conditions. If any certificate becomes outdated or invalid for any reason, immediately notify the Company’s Designated Person Ashore (DPA).

Master’s authority

• The Master has overriding authority to take any steps and issue any orders—whether or not aligned with prior instructions—that the Master considers necessary for the preservation of life, the safety of the yacht, or the prevention of pollution. The Company shall assist the Master and provide appropriate resources, and the Master may call upon Yachting Concept Monaco for assistance at any time.
• The Master has full authority to delegate to any crew member specific duties for which they are qualified.

5.2 Director / Deputy Director

The Director (or Deputy Director) is responsible for:

• Ensuring that an Assignment of Responsibilities under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code is signed between the Owner and the Company.
• Ensuring that persons accepting the roles of Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Company Security Officer (CSO) are duly qualified and certified in accordance with applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolutions.
• Designating a person or persons with direct access to the highest level of management to monitor the safe operation of each yacht.
• Ensuring adequate resources and office support are supplied for the safe operation of the yacht.
• Defining and documenting the Master’s responsibility to review the Safety Management System (SMS) and report deficiencies to shore‑based management.
• Organising internal audits to verify whether safety management activities comply with the SMS requirements.

5.3 Designated Person Ashore (DPA)

DPA’s responsibility

The DPA has direct access to the highest levels of authority within Yachting Concept Monaco to ensure the safe operation of each yacht and to provide a link between Yachting Concept Monaco and the yacht. The DPA is listed on the Yachting Concept Monaco contact‑details sheet.

The DPA reports to the Director and is responsible for:

• Monitoring safety and pollution‑prevention aspects of yacht operations.
• Supporting implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS) on board with the crew.
• Continuously monitoring the yacht’s certification in Deepblue© to ensure permanent validity and compliance with mandatory rules and regulations.
• Managing amendment and version control of all SMS documents.
• Ensuring adequate resources and office support are supplied for the safe operation of the yacht.
• Receiving information from the yacht or Yacht Manager regarding any safety‑related concerns in the yacht’s operation.
• Acknowledging and acting upon such information and informing senior management where appropriate.
• Monitoring corrective action to address the concern.
• Verifying completion and effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions.
• Reporting to the Director and/or Owner’s Representative.
• Overseeing adherence to procedures, forms, and checklists.

Role of the DPA

• The Master, Safety Officer, or office team must report to the DPA when an operational activity does not comply with acceptable safety standards, whether by act or error.
• The DPA logs and investigates the circumstances of each occurrence and may require assistance from personnel ashore and on board to establish root cause. The DPA determines what must be done, by whom, and by when to rectify the situation.
• Incidents of a technical nature may be investigated by the Technical Manager (TM) or another qualified individual. Where necessary, the DPA will escalate to senior management and use their authority to ensure corrective or preventive action is taken.

5.4 Yacht Manager (YM)

The Yacht Manager (YM) is responsible for:

• Receiving and reviewing reports, finances, and yacht documents.
• Verifying that certification is maintained for the yacht and crew. Liaising with crew, the DPA, and the Technical Manager (TM) to coordinate execution of SMS procedures (e.g., reports, audits, training, close‑out).
• Assisting crew in liaison with external bodies regarding certification.
• Administering employment documentation as required by the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
• Maintaining close liaison with the Master to ensure purchasing, ordering, and funding for safety‑critical items.
• Ensuring that relevant policies, activities, and procedures are carried out in accordance with the objectives of Yachting Concept Monaco.

5.5 Technical Manager (TM)

The Technical Manager (TM) is responsible for:

• Assisting in the initial implementation or review of the on‑board Planned Maintenance System (PMS) as part of SMS implementation.
• Reviewing reports on SMS‑related technical issues and monitoring correct execution of the PMS.
• Conducting at least one annual on‑board inspection relating to maintenance and compliant functionality of equipment referenced in the SMS.
• Performing an annual review of the yacht’s Critical Equipment list.
• Liaising with the yacht to achieve satisfactory resolution of technical issues noted via the SMS, including providing advice on actions and support with emergency repairs.
• Assisting crew in liaison with external bodies regarding technical issues arising under the SMS.
• Ensuring that relevant policies, activities, and procedures are carried out in accordance with the objectives of Yachting Concept Monaco.