8.Explain about ISPS

International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under SOLAS convention chapter IX-2 developed The International Ship and Port facility Security code – The ISPS code for safety of ships, ports, seafarers and government agencies. The ISPS code was implemented by IMO on July 1st 2004 as the comprehensive set of measure for international security by prescribing responsibilities to government authority, port authority, shipping companies and seafarers. It applies to the ships doing international voyages which include passenger ships & cargo ships of 500 GT and above.

Main Aim of ISPS code

·         To control the access of unauthorized person on board and inside any port.

·         To monitor the activity of people and cargo operation. To detect the different security             threats on board vessel and in port and implement measure as per the situation.

·         To provide security level to the ship and derive various duties and functions in different         security level.

·         To build and implement roles and responsibilities for port state officer and on board               officers to tackle maritime security threat at international level.

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The requirements to obtain the ISSC are:

1.     Appointment of a Company Security Officer (CSO)

2.     Performance of a documented Ship Security Assessment (SSA) including on-         scene security survey

3.     Appointment of Ship Security Officers (SSOI) for each individual ship

4.     Development of a Ship Security Plan (SSP)

5.     Ensuring that the SSP contains a statement emphasizing the Master's Authority     with respect to ship security and ensuring that appropriate resources are               provided for all personnel concerned

6.     Review and approval of the SSP by the flag State administration or Recognized     Security Organisation (RSO)

7.     Implementation of the security plan onboard

8.     Ensuring that training, drill and exercises on ship security are carried out for all       relevant personnel

9.     Ensuring that records of the activities addressed in the SSP are kept onboard

10.   Onboard Verification of the security system by the flag State Administration or       the RSO

11.    Having on board a valid ISSC after successful completion of the verification.

ISPS Code for ship Facilities Include:

ü  Company Security Officer ( CSO )

CSO is a company appointed person who is responsible for the ship security assessment and for on board survey to confirm the development and implementation of ship security plan as per ISPS code. If any deficiency occurs, CSO is responsible to deal with all the non-conformities and to modify SSP as per the deficiency.

ü  Ship Security Officer ( SSO )

SSO is the in charge of security of the vessel on board and responsible for the other entire crew member to carry out duties for ship security as per ISPS code. SSO is responsible for carrying out frequent drills for ISPS Code as per SSP.

ü  

    Ship Security Plan ( SSP )

It is a plan kept on board vessel mentioning the duty of crew members at different security levels and the do’s and don’ts at different type of security threats. SSO is responsible under CSO to implement ship security plan onboard vessel.

ü  Ship Security Alert System

Different types of security equipment are kept on board which includes metal detector for checking the person entering the vessel. From July 2004, most of the ship has installed Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) as per ISPS norms which does not sound on ship but alarms the shore authority about the security threat.

ü  Implementing Security Level

It’s the responsibility of SSO to implement the security level on board complying with the security level set by the local government authorities. Also a continuous response is to be made to Port state when security level is level 3.

ISPS Code for Port Facilities Include:

ü  Port facility Security Officer ( PFSO )

PFSO is Government appointed officer responsible for implementing PFSP and to derive security levels for port and vessel berthing at their jetty. He is responsible to conduct port facility security assessment.

ü  Port Facility Security Plan ( PFSP )

It includes the plans and action to be taken at different security levels. Roles and responsibilities are included in PFSP. Action to be taken at the time of any security breach is described in PFSP.

ü  Security Equipments

Minimum security equipment like scanner and metal detector etc must be available at all time with port facility to avoid breach of security inside the port.

ü  Implementing Security Level

Security levels are implemented by port authority under the consult of local government authority. The security level adopted for port facility must be informed to vessel administration for cooperative measures. The security levels under the ISPS code describe the current scenario related to the security threat to the country and its coastal region including the ships visiting that country. The security levels are decided by the co-operation of ship and port authority keeping the current condition of national and international security. The local government sets the security level and ensures to inform port state and ships prior to entering the port, or when berthed in the port. All personnel on board ships and port state staffs are assigned with security duties, which are different for people of different levels. Moreover, frequent security drills are also carried out on board ships. As soon as the security level has been decided as per the ISPS code, it is displayed prominently on board vessel at the entrance of the ship. 

There are total three security levels under ISPS code:

LEVEL 1 – Normal Level

ü  In normal level, both ships and port operations are carried out in general way.

ü  Minimum security measures are always maintained on board and in port.

ü  Ship and port operation are carried out as per ship and port facility security plan.

ü  Port facility ensures to keep the ‘no access’ areas under surveillance at all times.

ü  Ship and port authority mutually supervise loading and unloading operation of cargo and stores, ensuring access control and other minimum security criteria.

ü  Minimum access in the ship is maintained at all times.

LEVEL 2- Heightened Risk

ü  In level 2, the threat to the security is higher than the normal level.

ü  All the routine and cargo operations are carried out with an increase in security measures in both ships and ports.

ü  Look-outs in no access zone and waterside area is to be increased  by port and ship authorities.

ü  Access control is maintained all the time with escorting the visitors and use of security equipments like metal detector etc.

ü  Communication between port authority and ship administration is always maintained in case of increase in security level.

ü  Preparing a full or partial search operation of ship.

ü  A declaration of security is undertaken between port state and ship administration.

LEVEL 3 – Imminent danger

ü  Level 3 is imposed when the probability of security threat to ship or port authorities are highest or imminent and specific protective measures are to be maintained.

ü  In level 3 all ship and port operations are stopped and frequent security rounds and duties are carried out by both ship staff and port authorities. Boat petrol are done by port state on the water side.

ü  Main propulsion plant is always kept ready for moving the ship out of port if require.

ü  No personal is allowed to access the ship without the authorization of port state official.

ü  Only one access point is maintained on board at all time.

ü  Preparing a full search operation of ship or under water hull search operation with port facility.

ü  Preparation for evacuation of ship by its staff.

ü  A declaration of security is undertaken between port state and ships administration.