QUESTION Define, in short essay form,

No.1: The ISPS Code,

Reasons rendering its adoption necessary,
Its application to the shipping industry and
Its objective
Marks 40

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Diplomatic Conference of

December 2002 adopted new Regulations to enhance maritime security through
amendments to SOLAS Chapters V and XI. Chapter XI, previously covering ship
safety has been split into two new chapters, XI-1 and XI-2.
A new International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS Code)
was agreed by an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Diplomatic
Conference, which held in December 12th, 2002.

In the Maritime industry safety and security are closely linked. The tragic events
of 11th of September 2001 have shown that security considerations should not be
restricted to passenger ships and ferries including crew. Since the above historic
date there has been a great deal of activity aimed at enhancing maritime
security in an effort to protect merchant shipping from becoming a soft target for
terrorists. The intense attention given to maritime security has raised many
hopes that not only would the risk of acts of terrorism involving merchant ships
be reduced, but as unauthorized access to ports and ships became more difficult
so too would the frequency of stowaway boarding, armed robberies and drug
smuggling attempts fall.

The code adopted on 01st of July 2004 and the reasons for incorporating the Code
within the SOLAS convention are:
i. SOLAS is the most widely adopted convention.
ii. It applies to 98.5 % of world merchant fleet.
iii. It is the strongest link between safety & security.
iv. Shows serious intention.

The code applies to:

 The following ships engaged on International Voyages:
 Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger crafts.
  Cargo ships, including high speed crafts, of 500 GRT tonnage and upwards.

 Mobile off-shore drilling units.

 Compliance with the code is evident by the issuance of the International

Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)

 Port facilities accommodating ships engaged in International voyages.

Since the maritime community has come to the realization that ships must be
made less vulnerable both at sea and in port(s), the aim of this code is to
improve security and safety standards in such a way that expedites clearance of
ships, crews, passengers and cargoes.
Security considerations should cover all ships, persons on board (both passengers
and crew) and offshore terminals. The Code aims to reduce the industry’s
exposure to terrorist attacks and resulting damage. It is attached as an Annex to
IMOs’ SOLAS Convention.
In summary the ISPS Code:

 Enables the detection and deterrence of security threats within an

international framework

 Establishes roles and responsibilities

 Enables collection and exchange of security information
 Provides a methodology for assessing security
 Ensures that adequate security measures are in place.

It requires ship and port facility staff to:

 Gather and assess information

 Maintain communication protocols
 Restrict access; prevent the introduction of unauthorized weapons, etc.
 Provide the means to raise alarms
 Put in place vessel and port security plans; and ensure training and drills
are conducted.
 QUESTION Define the scope and functions of the Ship Security Plan.
No.2: Also define the person responsible for the preparation
and implementation of the SSP.
Marks 30

The Ship Security Plan is developed, according to the individual needs of each
vessel, which defined in the Ship Security Assessment (SSA) conducted. It must
stipulate procedures aiming to safeguard the vessel, cargo and crew against
identified potential security threats.
In accordance with the ISPS Code Element 9, the purposes of the SSP must be in
the direction of:
 Outline the organizational structure of security for the ship.

 Protect the ship from risks posed by security threats of incidents.

 Specify measures for the ship to move from security level 1 to 2 and from 2
to 3.

 Detail the duties of shipboard personnel assigned security responsibilities.

One of the SSPs’ key elements is the security measures that must be in place
when:
 Operating at security level 1.

 Increase the security level to 2.

 Increase the security level to 3.

The ISPS Code defines a number of actions/measures to be taken at each security
level, in Part B-9. Minimum recommended procedures which must be defined in
the SSP, in accordance with the requirements of the ISPS Code are:
1. Access control measures to the Ship.

2. Restricted areas on board.

3. Handling of cargo.

4. Delivery of ship’s stores/provisions/spares.

5. Handling of unaccompanied baggage.

6. Monitoring the security of the ship/patrolling.

7. Confidentiality of Communications.

8. Piracy control measures.

9. Co-operation with port facility security officer.

10. Bomb threat awareness.

11. Searching techniques.

12. Interfacing with port facilities.

13. Crew security training.

The Ship Security Plan is a confidential document. As such, it must only be

reviewed by the representative of a competent authority only.

The preparation of the SSP is the responsibility of the CSO. The SSO may have an
active role in the preparation of the SSP, but he will be solely liable for the
implementation of the SSP on board.

QUESTION Define the concept of Ship Security Assessment (SSA)

No.: 3 Marks 30

The Ship Security Assessment is a process that identifies weakness in physical

structures, personnel protection systems, processes or other areas that may lead
to a security breach, and may suggest options to eliminate or mitigate those
weaknesses.
The process in predominantly aiming to the:
1. Identification of existing security and response measures, procedures and
operations.
2. Identification and evaluation of key vessel’s operations, including sensitive
areas that should be designated as Restricted Areas.
3. Iidentification of possible threats to the vessel and their likelihood of
occurrence, in order to establish and prioritise security measures.
4. Identification of weaknesses or vulnerabilities on the vessel, including
human factors in the infrastructure, policies and procedures.