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PROFESSIONAL COURSE · Courses, Maritime

Cognicert Designated Person Ashore Course

Monitor ship safety and pollution-prevention arrangements, connect ship and shore teams, and support ISM implementation.

  • Practical, standards-based professional learning
  • Assessment and verifiable Cognicert certification
  • Flexible online, self-study and organisational delivery

Is this the right course for you?

Who this course is for
  • Shipping Companies;
  • Superintendents;
  • Quality managers;
  • Designated persons;
  • Nautical officers;
  • Engineer;
  • All those wishing to act the Role of DPA along with all office Personnel involved in ISM implementation;

Entry, exam and access at a glance

Prerequisites

Entry requirements depend on the course and level. Review the course-specific requirements and prior knowledge listed below.

Exam and resits

100 questions in one hour. Pass mark: 70%. Your payment includes two exam attempts. A third or later attempt costs £100 per resit.

Platform-wide pass rate: 87% across all examined trainees, based on Cognicert’s exam-platform results. This is not a course-specific pass rate or a guarantee of an individual result.

Self-study access

Lifetime access for the enrolled learner. Access is personal and cannot be shared.

Overview

Monitor ship safety and pollution-prevention arrangements, connect ship and shore teams, and support ISM implementation.

Connect these tasks to the designated person ashore role. Use the detailed programme to identify the methods, exercises and application areas most relevant to your work.

Audience
  • Shipping Companies;
  • Superintendents;
  • Quality managers;
  • Designated persons;
  • Nautical officers;
  • Engineer;
  • All those wishing to act the Role of DPA along with all office Personnel involved in ISM implementation;
Content
:
  • Introduction
o          Requirements of the DPA in the 21st century o          Principles of modern management systems o          Knowledge and understanding of the ISM Code o          Background, Purpose & 2015 amendments to I S M code. o          Mandatory Regulations, Codes, Guidelines, Standards.
  • ISMS Planning
o          ISMS Policies and Objectives o          Stakeholders in Shipboard Operations and Marine industry. o          Assessment techniques o          Maritime hazards and risk assessment o          Environmental risk assessment o          ISMS Risk Controls and implementation plan
  • Implementation
o          Handling of mandatory rules and regulations o          The Role of the Designated Person o          Roles and Responsibilities o          Stakeholder management o          Risks management o          Implementation of documented processes and procedures o          Training, awareness and communication o          Ensuring effective communication with shipboard staff and shore management o          Technical and operational aspects of safety management o          Understanding operations of a shipping company
  • Monitoring and evaluation
o          Performance Measurements, Monitoring and evaluation o          Auditing techniques o          Requirements for marine-related management system audits o          Management System Audits and Certification under ISM.
  • Improvement
o          Non-conformance and Corrective action o          Implementation of corrective action
  • Programme application

    (ISM Code Implementer Course) Certified by Cognicert UK www.cognicert.com According to the ISM Code, the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) plays a key role in the effective implementation of a Safety Management System and takes responsibility for verification and monitoring of all safety and pollution prevention activities. To comply with the ISM Code a shipping company should be able to provide documentary evidence that the DPA has received sufficient training to undertake the necessary duties. In this course the participants will be fully prepared to assume the role of DPA. This means providing them with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to implement and maintain the company’s SMS as required by the ISM Code. During the course the participants will be reminded about the background and objectives of the ISM Code and the resulting requirements for the company’s SMS from a modern management perspective. The responsibilities and authority of the DPA, possible legal exposure, as well as other potential difficulties will be explained. Advice is provided on principles and systematic   of risk management and incident investigation. Special attention is given to the importance of the human factor and good communication in safety management. Modern management concepts are presented. Activities are included to develop the capabilities of the participants in performing the duties, tasks and responsibilities of the DPA. Achievement of the required level of competence is assessed by means of a final test.
Delivery
  • Case Study
  • Individual Exercises
  • Role Play
  • Group Exercises
  • Group Presentation
  • Examination
Assessment and Qualification Learning is assessed through:
  • one-hour examination. Passing the exams qualifies the candidate for Cognicert Designated Person Ashore (CPD Certificate)
  • Practical experience of 45 hours of implementation with activity log qualifies participants for our Cognicert Designated Person Ashore (Auditor Category) I.D Card and Certificate
Self-Study Material, Exam and Certification  Online Training, Material, Exam and Certification  Classroom Training Location Here (Fee to be decided by delivery partners)

Use the current training and examination calendar below for dates and fees.

Refund and transfer conditions are set out in the current policy.

Duration

3 days

  • BOOK WITH CLARITY

    Refunds, cancellations and transfers

    Refund and transfer choices depend on the course format, how much notice you give and whether digital content has been accessed. Contact learner care early and we will help you identify the best available option.

    Read the complete refund, cancellation and transfer policy →
    UPCOMING COURSE CALENDAR

    Training, exam and application dates

    Prices are per learner before any applicable UK VAT. A live-online intake costs more after its standard deadline because the published late fee is added. Self-study is priced separately and has no late-intake fee.

    TRAINING DATESEXAMDEADLINE & STATUSLIVE ONLINESELF-STUDY
    16–20 November 202620 November 2026Standard booking period
    Standard deadline: 19 October 2026. No late fee yet.
    Places are confirmed at booking, not guaranteed by this calendar.
    £1,200
    Choose this intake
    £500
    On-demand study; next exam shown at checkout.
    VERIFIABLE ACHIEVEMENT

    Check your Cognicert certificate

    Successful candidates receive a uniquely numbered Cognicert certificate that another person can check through our public certificate-verification service. This confirms the authenticity of a Cognicert-issued award; acceptance by an employer, regulator or external professional scheme depends on their requirements.

    View certificate verification →
    YOUR COURSE ADVISER

    Need help before enrolling?

    Lisa Williams
    Course and Business Development Adviser
    Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:00 UK time

    +44 20 3432 2505
    info@cognicert.com
    Self-study from £500per learner · excl. applicable VATEnrol self-study

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