Final answer:
The Ship Maintenance Manual (SMM) is the correct reference for establishing policies, requirements, and maintenance responsibilities for ship systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reference that establishes the policy and requirements and maintenance responsibilities for ship systems is a) Ship Maintenance Manual (SMM). This manual is designed specifically for maintaining navy and other maritime vessels, providing comprehensive guidelines on standard maintenance procedures, scheduling, and responsibilties. It's essential for ensuring the ships are kept in operational condition and are safe for personnel to operate.
In contrast, the Naval Operations Manual (NOM) would more broadly cover the operations within the Navy, the Maritime Safety Manual (MSM) focuses on safety protocols for maritime operations, and the Vessel Repair Handbook (VRH) likely provides guidance on repairing vessels but may not be as comprehensive in terms of overall maintenance responsibilities.