ABSTRACT It is widely accepted that more than 80 percent of all high-consequence marine disasters have been the result of human error (for example, the Exxon Valdez, Amoco Cadiz, and Braer incidents). In the wake of such accidents, it has become apparent that many of these human errors are the result of problems rooted in organizational errors. Though historically it has been a requirement that ship crews be properly certificated before going to sea, owners and operators have not been subject to regulatory requirements that certify their ability to safely manage the operations of their ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has developed and recently adopted the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (the International Safety Management Code, or ISM Code), as a mandatory requirement under Chapter IX of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). The ISM Code is the result of the IMO's commitment to addressing the human element in all aspects of the maritime industry. This paper discusses the safety management system concept behind the ISM Code and what it will mean for the marine industry. The safety management concept includes a number of new and challenging roles and responsibilities for owners, operators, regulators, insurance underwriters, and ship classification societies.