(a) In General.— The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which establish a safety management system for responsible persons and vessels to which this chapter applies, including
(1) a safety and environmental protection policy;
(2) instructions and procedures to ensure safe operation of those vessels and protection of the environment in compliance with international and United States law;
(3) defined levels of authority and lines of communications between, and among, personnel on shore and on the vessel;
(4) procedures for reporting accidents and nonconformities with this chapter;
(5) procedures for preparing for and responding to emergency situations; and
(6) procedures for internal audits and management reviews of the system.
