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What is the international ship security certificate?
The International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is a document that certifies a ship's compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It is issued after a thorough inspection and validation process, ensuring that a vessel meets the security standards set by the ISPS Code
What is a maritime security threat?
A maritime security threat refers to any potential or actual act or circumstance that poses a risk to the security of maritime activities, including ships, ports, and maritime infrastructure.
Give two examples of maritime security threats
Piracy and Armed Robbery: Unlawful acts of violence or detention directed against ships or their crew for theft, ransom, or other purposes.
Terrorism: Acts of violence or sabotage designed to achieve political or ideological objectives by targeting ships, ports, or maritime infrastructure.
Smuggling: Unauthorized transport of contraband, including drugs, weapons, or other illegal goods, which can undermine national and international security.
Stowaways: Unauthorized individuals who secretly board ships, posing security risks and creating logistical challenges.
Human Trafficking: The illegal movement of people for exploitation, which may occur via maritime routes.
Cybersecurity Threats: Attacks on maritime technology systems, such as navigation or communication systems, which could disrupt operations or cause accidents.
What is the international safety management code?
The ISM code is the international standard for the safe management and operation of ships, and for managing pollution prevention.
Identify 3 types of ships under the ISPS Code
The ISPS Code applies to the following types of ships engaged on international voyages
Passenger ships, including high-speed craft, of 500 (gross tonnage) GT and upwards
Mobile offshore drilling units
Cargo ships of 300 or more GT, including high-speed craft
cargo ships on domestic voyage weighing 500 GT and upwards
Port facilities serving such ships engaged on international voyages.
What are the obligations of companies under the ISPS Code?
* The Company shall ensure that the Ship Security Plan contains a clear statement emphasizing the master’s authority.
* The Company shall establish in the ship security plan that the master has the overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the safety and security of the ship and to request the assistance of the Company or of any Contracting Government as may be necessary.
* The Company shall ensure that the Company Security Officer, the master and the Ship Security Officer are given the necessary support to fulfil their duties and responsibilities in accordance with chapter XI-2 and this Part of the Code.
What certificate is issued to a port under the ISPS Code?
Port facilities receive the Port Facility Security Certificate (PFSC). This certificate confirms that the port facility complies with the ISPS Code's requirements, indicating that it has undergone a security assessment and has an approved Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) in place.
What is the ISPS Code?
International ship and port facility security code is an international maritime security measure that aims to enhance the security of ships and port facilities around the world.
What is the "four circles model"?
A conceptual framework used to understand and implement maritime security measures across different layers of responsibility. This model helps to visualize the overlapping roles and responsibilities within the maritime security ecosystem.
What is included in the four circles model and what do they represent?
- Four overlapping circles:
1. Ship: Ship security measures
2. Company: Coastal State and flag State responsibilities
3. Port Facility: Port facility security measures
4. State: International cooperation and coordination
What is a standoff attack?
Security threat where attacker engages from a distance
- May involve firearms, missiles, rockets, or remotely controlled devices
- Aims to cause damage, disrupt operations, or instill fear without direct physical contact
What ae the security levels in ISPS Code and what do they represent?
Level 1: Minimum appropriate protective security measures
- Level 2: Heightened security measures in response to increased risk
- Level 3: Exceptional security measures in response to a probable security incident
What are some characteristics of a standoff attack?
Distance: The attacker remains at a distance from the ship or port facility during the attack.
Weapon Types: The attack may use firearms, missiles, rockets, drones, or other long-range weapons.
Targeted Damage: Standoff attacks aim to cause damage, disrupt operations, or instill fear without direct physical contact.
What event brought about the implementation of the ISPS Code?
ISPS Code was brought about due to the event of the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in downtown Manhattan.
Describe the features of a long-range identification and tracking system
Mandatory for passenger ships, oil and chemical tankers, and cargo ships over 300 GT (SOLAS Regulation V/19-1)
- Uses satellite communication to transmit ship position and identity data to designated authorities
- Enhances maritime security by providing real-time tracking and monitoring of ships
- Helps authorities respond quickly to security incidents or threats
Describe the fundamentals of the automated identification system
- Mandatory for passenger ships, oil and chemical tankers, and cargo ships over 500 GT (SOLAS Regulation V/19-1)
- Uses VHF radio to transmit ship position, identity, and other data to nearby ships and shore-based stations
- Enhances situational awareness and collision avoidance
- Supports maritime security by providing real-time tracking and monitoring of ships in the vicinity
Give three functional requirements of a ship security alert system
The ssas should be capable of informing the appropriate authority about breaches in ship security.
To generate a covert alert only without making an alarm onboard.
Should operate from main and reserved source of energy.
The ssas should be capable of being tested.
What is a company security officer?
The person designated by the Company for ensuring that a ship security assessment is carried out; that a ship security plan is developed, submitted for approval, and thereafter implemented and maintained and for liaison with port facility security officers and ship security officer.
What is a port facility?
A port facility is an area of land or water that is involved in the loading and unloading of security regulated ships.
What is predictive profiling?
Predictive profiling is a security strategy used in the following maritime sector to identify potential threats before they occur
State two weaknesses of the ISPS Code
- the inability of the IMO to enforce its regulations- it can only monitor compliance.
- The ISPS Code does not apply to many vessels that are either vulnerable to or capable of, terrorist attack or exploitation.
State two strengths of the ISPS Code
- the provision of a common baseline for international cooperation on the issue of maritime security
- the more streamlined approval process involved in making amendments to the Code. This will enable a quicker response to evolving nature of the terrorist threat.
What is a declaration of security?
a document that outlines the security measures and procedures to be implemented by a ship and a port facility, or by two ships, when they are interfacing with each other.
When can a declaration of security be requested?
A ship can request for a declaration of security when:
It is operating at a higher security level than the port facility or another ship it is interfacing with;
There is an agreement between Contracting Governments covering certain international voyages or specific ships on those voyages;
There is a security threat or incident involving the ship or the port facility
It is at a port that is not required to have and implement a PFSP.
Conducting ship-to-ship activities with another ship is not required to have and implement an SSP
What is a ship security officer?
This is the person onboard the ship, accountable to the master, designated by the company as responsible for the security of the ship, including implementation and maintenance of the ship security plan and for liaison with the company security officer and port facility security officers.