SECURITY NOW! THE ASSESSMENT

Shipboard security has always been a vital part of the maritime safety. Today, we are even more concerned and aware of security since terrorist attacks target not only skyscrapers and embassies but also our ships at sea. Piracy, sabotage, stowaways, and hijacking – these threats to maritime security are well known.

The first part of this video training is devoted to the regulatory framework, namely, in the United States, the Maritime Transportation Act of 2002, and internationally - the ISPS, standing for the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The latter requires that the ships have their IMO numbers clearly marked on the hull. The Continuous Synopsis Record, or CSR, of the ships history, shall be available at all times.

The other integral parts of the Code are the Security Alert System, SSP, i.e. the Ship Security Plan, approved by the vessel’s Flag State, which will issue an ISPS Certificate. The ISPS Code details the security requirements and they are presented in two parts – the mandatory requirements and a series of guidelines on how to meet these requirements, and non-mandatory requirements. Some countries, such as the United States, will require vessels to comply with both Parts A and B.