Designated Person Ashore (DPA): Role, Responsibilities, and Training

Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is a term that often raises questions among maritime professionals: Why are regulations required? And how can its absence directly impact the safety of ships and companies? The truth is that this role is not merely a formal function; it is the primary guarantee that maritime operations remain safe and compliant with international standards.

An interested reader might ask: What are the risks if a company does not have a designated person ashore responsible for implementation and oversight? The reality is that the captain and crew will face complex challenges alone, from managing emergency incidents to dealing with the pressures of international compliance. Here, the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) emerges as the vital bridge between the ship and shore management, coordinating, directing, and securing resources to ensure compliance with the ISM Code and maintaining safety as a top priority.

What is a Designated Person Ashore (DPA)?

Basically, the term Designated Person Ashore (DPA) refers to the person responsible for all issues related to the Safety Management System. This person is designated by the company and has broad authority to directly reach senior management. This ensures the availability of the necessary resources and effective and practical execution of policies.

According to the ISM Code, having a DPA is not an option, but rather a legal obligation for every company operating commercial vessels over 500GT. Even private yacht owners may voluntarily choose to appoint a Designated Person Ashore to ensure that the actual implementation of safety management meets international standards and aligns with the ISM Code.

This is where the role becomes important: it is not limited to emergency or incident response, but encompasses the full implementation of the company's policies, including environmental protection and maintaining ongoing compliance. Hence, the explicit inclusion of this role in MEPC 83 meetings, confirming that it plays a key role in protecting lives and the marine environment.

Roles of a Designated Person Ashore (DPA):

Implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS):

The captain is responsible for onboard implementation, but the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) adds a broader dimension: gathering experience from previous incidents across the fleet, sharing lessons learned, and guaranteeing more effective implementation for the company both onshore and at sea, in accordance with the ISM Code.

Promoting a Culture of Safety Onshore and Offshore:

Through continuous training and development, the DPA plays a key responsibility in implementing a safety culture, ensuring that every company crew member understands the seriousness of ignoring ISM Code policies.

Ensuring Understanding of the Safety and Environmental Protection Policy:

The Designated Person Ashore (DPA) is responsible for ensuring that the policy is clear, effective, and up-to-date. This goes beyond a formal review, ensuring that the company's staff ashore and onboard are working together to achieve the objectives.

Organizing and Monitoring Internal Audits:

The DPA plans and conducts internal audits both shore and offshore, and monitors independence and objectivity, verifying that all audits align with the ISM Code. If gaps are identified, they ensure the effective implementation of corrective actions.

Incident and Risk Analysis:

Every incident or non-conformity is thoroughly investigated, making certain that the root causes are understood and that the company and its management team learn from the experience to prevent recurrence and implement effective corrective measures. 

What are the Responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore?

Of course, the responsibilities of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) are many, covering the following main aspects:

Safety Management:

Overseeing and updating the company's policies, conducting risk assessments, and plays a key role in guaranteeing effective adherence with the ISM Code.

Emergency Response:

During emergency incidents, the DPA is the primary ashore person for coordination with the captain, authorities, and emergency services, and plays a central role in maintaining effective and rapid communication that safeguards the company's reputation and safety standards.

Training and Education:

Here lies the real challenge: How does the company ensure that the crew is always qualified according to ISM Code standards? The DPA is responsible for drills, regular training, and guaranteeing that practical knowledge is clear. This is where maritime safety training courses in Dubai come in, providing crews with practical crisis response skills.

Incident Investigation:

The DPA conducts thorough investigations of each incident, gathers evidence, and proposes corrective actions to ensure that the company learns from every event. This process is undoubtedly essential for maintaining an effective system. 

Regulatory Compliance:

As laws are constantly changing, the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) stays up-to-date and ensures that the company's operations remain compliant with the ISM Code, both based onshore and offboard.

Eventually, 

It is clear that Designated Person Ashore (DPA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, compliance, and protection of vessels and companies. Its absence means gaps that can cost lives and resources, while its presence ensures effective management and successful implementation of the ISM Code.

There's no doubt that whether you're based in London, Dubai, Athens, Rotterdam, Hamburg, or Istanbul, LMA Training delivers internationally accredited maritime safety training tailored to local and global needs, supported regionally with flexible training methods.

If you're a manager in a maritime company or an individual seeking to understand how the maritime system works from the inside out, know that investing in an effective Designated Person Ashore is not a luxury, but a necessity. Start researching accredited training programs now and be the person who distinguishes your company in an increasingly challenging world. Take the step today and be part of the change.