.isps code .ispsc
ISPS comes under Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS which is “Special measures to enhance Maritime Security
Ø The ISPS Code applies to:
- Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft;
- Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 500 GT and upwards;
- The ISPS Code comprises of two Parts :
Part (A) : (Mandatory Provisions) and
Part (B) : (Recommended Provisions)
- Objective Of ISPS Code:
- To detect & assess security threat and take preventive measure to establish cooperation between various government, government agency, local administration, shipping and Port industries.
- Establish the role and responsibility of the above bodies at National and international level for ensuring maritime security
- Efficient Collection & Exchange of security threats.
- Adopt measure to prevent terrorist threat to ships & port facilities
- Adopt different level of security & method to assess them
- Prevent Unauthorized access to ships, port facilities & their restricted areas
ISPS Security levels :
.security level .sec level .marsec security level
.isps security level .isps sec level
ISPS code has set three security levels.
- MARSEC Level – 1 : (Normal Level)
The level at which ships and port facilities normally operate. This is the minimum appropriate protective level for security measures & shall be maintained at all times.
- MARSEC Level – 2 : (Heightened Level)
The level applying for as long as there is a heightened risk of a security incident
- MARSEC Level – 3 : (Exceptional)
The level applying for the period of time when there is probable or imminent risk of security incident.
- Security Measure :
@Level -1
- Adequate deck & over side lighting.
- Crew member should be issued photo identification.
- Access on & off the vessel should be control & all person identify.
- Access to certain area of the vessel to be limited with key control.
- Unused room or space should be kept locked.
- Periodic inspection/patrol should be made a regular interval.
@Level -2
In addition to level -1
- Occasional search should be made at random interval.
- Access of all visitors to the vessel should strictly control.
- Close security to be paid on deliveries and stores.
- Baggage should not be unattended.
- Check should make on seal on container & other cargo.
- No person other than crew member should be allowed on bridge or E/R.
- Maintain close liaison with shore concerned.
- All crew members should be reminded of bomb alert security of the vessel.
@Level-3
In addition to level 1 & 2:
- Very tight security.
- Restricted areas are totally closed.
- 100% ship’s store to be suspended.
- Gangway is lifted.
- No stores and bunkers will be loaded unless specifically instructed.
- Limiting access to a single & controlled access.
- Granting access only to those responding to the security incident.
- Carry out full or partial search of the ship.
- Suspending cargo-handling operation.
- Tighten security patrol of the vessel.
- Crew member should be briefed on seriousness of the situation.
.isps psc
.psc isps
To achieve the objectives of ISPS code some new measures have been taken.
Ø Ship Security Assessment (SSA):
Ship security assessment is the first step toward developing a security plan.
Ship security assessment is a kind of risk assessment about the security of the ship.
The purpose of a SSA is to identify and analyze the security risks for a given type of ship in a trading area. To develop, implement, maintain and update the ship security plan based on the result of security assessment.
The CSO is responsible for satisfactory development of the SSA whether prepared by the company itself or a contracted organization.
Ship Security Plan (SSP) :
It is a plan to protect Crew , Passengers, Cargo & Ship safety.
SSO is responsible under CSO to implement ship security plan onboard vessel.
Ship security plan need to be approved by Flag State of the vessel or by Recognized security organization (RSO) on behalf of flag state.
Master and SSO must not give access of SSP to any external party. Only Company security officer and person conducting security audit can be given access.
If any PSC inspector seeks access to SSP, this request should be politely rejected.
ISPS code gives the minimum points that must be included in the ship security plan.
- Measure to prevent weapons, dangerous substance on board the ship
- Security Equipment onboard & its maintenance
- Restricted areas & measures to prevent unauthorized access
- Procedure in case of security threats
- Procedure for reporting security incidents
- Security Drills & Exercise
- Security duty of shipboard personnel
- SSO & CSO with contact details
- SSAS Location, Testing & Operating procedure
- Procedure for review & updating of SSP
Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) :
It is a plan to protect port facility including ships, cargo, buildings, people & operations associated.
Ship Security Officer (SSO):
According to the ISPS code, every ship must have a SSO, who has the full responsibility of the ship’s security, accountable to the Master. He shall in charge of implementing & maintaining the Ship Security Plan, liaising with the CSO & PFSO.
Company Security Officer (CSO):
Designating CSO to ensure that a Ship Security Plan is developed, submitted to the Administration for approval, implemented & maintained onboard. He is also responsible for the SSA.
Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) :
Designating a PFSO to be responsible for the development, implementation & maintenance of the port facility security.
Recognized Security Organization (RSO) :
RSO are expertise on security matters, knowledge about ships & port operations. They are capable of carrying out, verifying or approving security assessments as outlined by SOLAS or Part A of the ISPS code.
Declaration of Security (DOS) :
It is the agreement between ship & shore or between two ships regarding the security measures shared between them.
DOS shall be completed by the Master or SSO on behalf of the ship
DOS shall be completed by the PFSO or other Approved Body for Shore side security on behalf of Port.
Certification (ISSC) & Validity :
ISSC (International Ship Security Certificate) issue after initial or renewal verification specified by the Administration validate not exceeding 5 years.
- Duties of the Contracting Government (CG) under the ISPS Code :
The Contracting Government plays a vital role in order to ensure that the ISPS code is followed properly by the Companies and Port authorities. It is also the duty of the CG to assimilate information regarding possible maritime threats and their consequences. This information is then to be provided to the ships and ports in form of instructions and security guidelines.
- Security Drills & Exercise :
Drills :
The Ship Security Plan shall address drill and training frequency. Drills shall be conducted at least every three (3) months. In cases where more than 25% of the ship’s personnel have changed, drill shall be conducted within one (1) week of the change.
Drills may include situations like – • Bomb threat at port / at sea
During this kind of threat
- security level will change
- Stowaway or Bomb search will commence
SSO should maintain the records of all the security drill carried out on board for a period of three (3) years.
Exercises :
Various types of exercises, which may include participation of the CSO, PFSO, relevant authorities of contracting governments as well as SSO, if available, should be carried out at least once each calendar year with no more than 18 months between the exercises. These exercises should test communications, coordination, resources availability and response.
These exercises may be:
- full scale or live;
- table top simulations or seminars;
- combined with other exercises such as search and rescue or emergency response.
ISPS requires to identify and declare restricted area of a ship.
Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) :
Every Ship 500 GT & above sailing the world ocean constructed on or after, 2004 to have a Ship Security Alert System (SSAS).
There needs to be a minimum of two security buttons that can initiate SSAS. One of these buttons should be on the wheel house of the ship, and another one in any other prominent location.
The whole crew onboard must be aware of at least one activation button location.
SSAS when activated, Shall ;
- Initiate & transmit a Ship to Shore security alert to a Competent authority designated by the Administration.
- Not send the ship security alert to any other ships
- Not raise any alarm on board the ship
- Continue the ship security alert until deactivated and / or reset
SSAS sends the following details
- Name & IMO number of the ship
- Call sign of the ship & The ship Position
- Date & Time of the alert
- Maritime mobile service identity
Generally, when a SSAS button is pressed, the alert goes to the Flag state and the CSO. But some flag state may require that alert is only received by the CSO.
Ship security alert system (SSAS) must be tested at least Annually.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) :
- As per SOLAS convention every Ship of 300 GT and above required to fit an Automatic Identification System(AIS ) for international voyage.
- AIS may Transmit information about my ship & receive the same from others.
- Costal Station can also receive the AIS information
Information provide by AIS:
- Ship’s name, IMO number, Call sign, Speed, Course, Destination
Long Range Identification & Tracking of Ship (LRIT) :
Applies to-
- All passenger ships
- High speed craft
- Cargo ship 300 GT and above
- (Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit)
- Ships must report their location ( Identity, Position, Date & Time) to their Flag Administration at least 4 times in a day.
- Most ship set their existing satellite communication system to automatically make these report.
Ø Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) :
- Which is recorder data from various sensor on board the vessel.
- And it will store all data in storage unit.
- Storage unit is designed to withstand the extreme shock, pressure and heat. If any incident happens than last 24 hour of stored data from the storage unit can be recorded for any investigation.
Data to be Recorded are :
- Position of ship
- Date, Time, Speed
- VHF radio communication
- All alarm history
- Watertight & Weather tight door status as indicate on bridge.
- Audio from bridge including bridge wing.
Citadel:
- Citadel is recommended as per IMSC (International Maritime Security Centre)
- Citadel construction at strategic locations usually center of the ship, sometimes engine room itself.
- Citadel must be properly planned , constructed, camouflaged entrance
- Construction of citadel very expensive because the room has to capable to withstand any kind of weapon impact.
- Thick metal door & necessary ventilation need to be provided.
- Door & bulkhead may be fitted additional protection
- Food & water storage for at least 48 hours
- Closeable outlet of the floor for the Excretion purpose should be provided. If citadel is in Steering Gear aft peak tk can be used.
- Communication system including VHF & Satellite communication need to be provided./ Satellite antenna should be secure
- Control of ME & AE to move the ship & GPS receiver should be provided
- Room must be fitted with CCTV camera
- Pirates drill / Citadel drill should be carried out according to (ship security assessment plan)
- Locking out useful equipment from pirates should be provided.
- Use password protection for opening the door. Any known person who needs to enter citadel verbal sign is recommended.
- The whole concept of citadel is lost if any member of the crew left outside before the citadel secure.
- Drills & proper knowledge of citadel & its equipment should be provided which is necessary for the crew
Citadel Equipment:
Citadel should have these items namely
- VHF, Satellite & spare batteries
- CCTV camera, monitor
- GPS/VDR
- Important contact list
- First Aid kit
- Crew list
- Food & Water
- Garbage Bag
- Toilet
- Portable Blower
Good gangway watch keeper should check:
- Identification
- Maintain visitor log
- And Control & restrict access
Some common restricted areas are-
- Navigation Room
- Radio Room
- Engine Room
- Steering Room
- Emc’y Generator area
- Bow thruster
- Fire Control Room
- Crew accommodation area
- Ventilation, Air Conditioning equipment room
- • Similar key area which are essential to the safe operation of ship
Common ISPS equipment are-
- SSAS (Ship Security Alert System)
- Metal detector
- Security locker
- Security log book
- CC TV camera
- Security vest
- Whistle
- Identity card
- Flash light
- Barrier tapes
- Pull tile seal
ISPS PSC check:
– security level is displayed near gangway
– gangway is always maintained
– ID is noted for any outsider person and ships ID card is issued
– ISPS equipment are present and working OK.
– All crew know his/her ISPS duties for different security level.