Security / ISPS Code Flashcards
What are the objectives of the ISPS Code?
- Establish a framework between national and international agencies and the maritime industry to detect security threats and prevent security incidents affecting ships and ports used in International trade
- Establish roles and responsibilities between national and international agencies for ensuring maritime security
3, Ensure early and efficient collection and exchange of security related information
- Provide a methodology for security assessments and produce plans and procedures to react to changing security levels
- Ensure confidence that adequate and proportional maritime security measures are in place
What are the functional requirements of the ISPS Code?
- Gather, assess and share security information appropriately
- Maintain communication protocols between ships and port facilities
- Prevent unauthorized access to ships, port facilities and their restricted areas
- Prevent introduction of unauthorized weapons, incendiary devices or explosives to ships or port facilities
- Means of raising the alarm due to security threats or incident
- Provide ship and port facility plans based on security assessments
- Require training, drills and exercises to familiarise with security plans and procedures
Who does the ISPS code apply to?
- Passenger ships on international voyages
- Cargo ships above 500GT on international voyages
- Mobile Offshore Drilling Units
- Port facilities serving ships on international voyages
UK
Class A domestic passenger ships
Domestic ships with > 250 passengers and domestic tankers
What is a declaration of security?
A shared document between the ship and shore facility detailing security requirements and the responsibility for each
Who completes the declaration of security?
The Master or SSO and the PFSO
When can a ship request a declaration of security?
- When the ship is operating at a higher security level than the port
- A declaration of security agreement exists between governments
- A security threat exists involving the ship or the port facility
- The ship is at a port not required to have a security plan
- Ship to ship operations with a ship not required to have a security plan
What are the requirements of the ship security plan?
- Ensure performance of all ship security duties
- Control access to the ship
- Control embarkation of persons and their effects
- Monitor restricted areas
- Monitor deck areas and areas surrounding the ship
- Supervise cargo and stores handling
- Ensure security communication is available
Who can view the ship security plan?
The Master, the SSO, the CSO and persons carrying out ISPS audits only.
How is ISPS surveyed?
Initial survey
Intermediate survey
Renewal survey
An International Ship Security Certificate issued valid for 5 years
Can a ship have a lower security level than the port it is visiting?
No
What are the main recommended actions for maintaining security in level 1?
- ID check of all persons boarding and request a reason for their visit
- Make a secure area available for searches
- Random searches for vehicles boarding the vessel
- Identify access points which should be marked, secured and/or attended
- Provide a security briefing to the crew
- Check all cargo loaded matches documentation
- Check cargo seals are intact
- Inspect cargo ready for loading
- Check stores match the stores order and check documentation
- Immediately stow stores in a secure place
- Provide sufficient lighting
- Provide watchkeepers and watchmen on patrol
- Monitor surveillance equipment and alarm systems
What additional security measures are used in level 2?
- Increased frequency of searches
- Visitors escorted around the ship
- Limited access points
- Increased checks of cargo and stores. Check before loading on the ship
- Increased deck patrols
- Increased personnel/ extra lookouts
- Additional lighting
What additional security measures are used in level 3?
- Lockdown to essential visitors only
- Suspend cargo operations
- Suspend stores loading
- Prepare for vessel search/underwater search of the ship
When are security drills completed?
Every 3 months
If more than 25% of crew change and have not completed a security drill within 3 months, complete a drill within 1 week.
What is the SSAS and where is it found?
Ship security alert system. Required for all ISPS ships and must be capable of being operated from the bridge and one other location.
