ISPS

Question 1

What is the ISPS Code?

Answer 1

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

Made mandatory in 2004 by SOLAS Chapter XI-2, the ISPS code applies to all passenger ships, vessels over 500gt, and mobile offshore drilling units, as well as the port facilities themselves.

ISPS aims to provide effective and proportionate maritime security between ship and port.

Question 2

What are the two sections of the ISPS code?

Answer 2

Part A

Mandatory Requirements

Part B

Guidance

Question 3

What is contained within the ISPS Code?

Answer 3

ISPS Code

• Required documentation and certification
• Obligations of the company
• Ship security
• Ship security assessments
• Ship security plans
• Record keeping
• Company, Ship and Port security officers
• Training, drills and exercises onboard
• Port security assessments and plans

Question 4

What is covered by the Ship Security Assessment?

Answer 4

1. Identification of existing security measures, procedures and operations
2. Identification and evaluation of key shipboard operations
3. Identification of threats to key shipboard operations and establishing security measures based on priority and likelihood of occurrence
4. Identification of weakness, including human factors, infrastructure, policies and procedures.

A copy of the SSA must be kept in the company records and protected from unauthorised access or disclosure.

Question 5

What are the different security levels under ISPS?

Answer 5

Security Level 1
Normal – the minimum appropriate security measures to be maintained at all times

Security Level 2
Heightened – Additional security measures to be maintained as a result of a heightened risk of a security incident

Security Level 3
Exceptional – where further security measures are required to be maintained when a security threat is probable or imminent, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target

Question 6

What is the Ship Security Plan?

Answer 6

Ship Security Plan

Each ship must carry a ship security plan based on the findings of the SSA. The plan will contain the basic security measures for security level 1, plus additional measures required for security level 2 and 3.

The plan will also contain lines of communication between the ship, company and port facilities, reporting procedures, procedures for regular review of the SSP, and drills and exercises onboard.

Question 7

What nominated personnel are required under ISPS?

Answer 7

Ship Security Officer (SSO) – duties include liaising with the CSO, cooperating with the PSFO, and implementing and upholding the ship security plan

Company Security Officer (CSO) – duties include ensuring that a Ships Security Assessment has been completed for each ship

Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO)

Shipboard personnel with specific security duties

Question 8

What documentation is required under ISPS?

Answer 8

International Ship Security Certificate – Issued to all ships meeting the provisions of the code and holding an approved Ship Security Plan

Ship Security Plan – Outlining security measures, training and drills, communication, record keeping, reporting procedures, and regular review requirements

Ship Security Assessment – An identification of all possible security weaknesses related to the vessel. Kept with the company and protected from unauthorised personnel.

Declaration of Security – An agreement on security levels between the ship and the port facility

Question 9

What is a Declaration of Security (DOS)?

Answer 9

Declaration of Security (DOS)

A Declaration of Security is an agreement between the ship and the port, or other vessel, it is interfacing with and outlines specific security measures required to bridge between the two parties.

The flag state determines when a ship is required to submit a DOS to the port. A ship can request a DOS from the port when the ship is operating at a higher level that the port, the port doesn’t have an approved security plan, or the port has been involved in a recent security threat or incident.