Maritime
security - frequently asked questions and answers |
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
1. What happens
if the ship history indicates that ports visited are ones where
port security does not really exist?
IMO will publish a list of ports with an approved port
facility security plans (PFSP). If the ship comes from a port
which is not on the IMO "white list" then the government
responsible for a "white list" port may take this
as "clear grounds" that the ship may not be in compliance
with the ISPS Code (see ISPS Code B 4.33). In such cases the
ship may be subject to the control and compliance measures in
SOLAS XI-2/9. In extreme cases this may even lead to the ship
being denied entry into port. |
2. If a port does
not provide adequate security, and despite best endeavours by
ship crew, suspect personnel get onboard. How will IMO help?
How can the shipping company apportion blame to the port authorities?
The security of the ship is at all times the responsibility
of the company. Appropriate measures, identified during the
risk assessment and implemented through the ship security plan,
must be taken. |
3. Will there be
"black lists"?
As stated above, there will be a "white list "of ports
published by IMO. IACS will also publish a "white list"
of ships issued with an International Ship Security Certificate
(ISSC) by member societies. A ship not having a valid ISSC will,
by definition, be outside international requirements. |
4. Who will pay
for port delays if these occur because of security clearance
of the crew?
Undue delays may be compensated under the provisions
of SOLAS XI-2/9. |
5. Will Lloyd's
Register issue standard ship security plans that could be tailored
to individual ships?
As with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code is not prescriptive. Each
SSP must be individual to suit the company, the ship and the
conditions under which it is trading. Lloyd's Register provides
training for all levels of company staff and the ISPS Ship Practical
Pack to provide a framework to assist clients. Lloyd's Register
Mariner, the software for assessing risk, may be used to aid
the development of SSP’s. |
6.
Will Lloyd's Register co-operate with consultants and validate
their work?
Lloyd's Register will not be involved with any form
of consultancy where we will be involved in the approval and
certification process. Lloyd's Register will consider consultancy
where we can not offer certification services because the
administration will not be delegating responsibilities to
RSO and Lloyd's Register will not be providing certification
services to the ISM Code. Advisory services will be provided
through training and the ISPS Ship Practical Pack. Validation
of other consultants’ work will be through the certification
audit process. |
7.
The industry does not understand the requirements of ISPS
but yet is told to prepare for the next voyage to the US.
What do we have to do?
At this time the US has imposed some pre-arrival requirements
additional to those agreed by IMO. Be aware of NAVIC 10-02
(www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/). Information on cargo security
requirements is found at (www.customs.ustreas.gov/). The USA
has published a consultation document on their proposed maritime
security regulations. Lloyd's Register will be attending all
of the public meetings being held in the USA to discuss these
proposals. |
8. What about guns
and how is the industry supposed to defend itself without them.
It is felt that passengers will not feel comfortable seeing
officers with guns?
The ISPS Code itself mandates no security hardware other than
the Ship Security Alert. The decision to carry guns (if allowed)
is that of the company and not a requirement of the code. The
carrying of such weapons however may generate other problems
with port authorities. Lloyd's Register does not advocate merchant
shipping carrying firearms in ANY circumstances. |
9. Who will be
the security officer on board the ship and will there be one
in the company ashore?
The ISPS Code does not specify who shall be nominated the ship
security officer (SSO) or the company security officer (CSO).
As with the ISM Code, such nominations should take into consideration
existing workloads, aptitude and suitability for the job and
be provided with the appropriate training. Many companies are
appointing the current ISM DPA as the CSO and the chief officer
onboard to act as the SSO. |
10.
Will the company shore based operations need any preparation
or training?
Yes. Both the CSO and the SSO are required to be
adequately trained and have the knowledge required to discharge
their duties. |
11. It is said
that the Lloyd's Register are working with the USCG, but the
same has been said of other major classification societies.
Lloyd's Register is closely involved in IMO, with the many flag
administrations and other influential groups, both inside and
outside of government. |
12.
Does Lloyd's Register have the resources locally and globally
to offer security certification services and what will be
the costs?
The Lloyd's Register intention is to mirror the ISM resource
with that of ISPS. The associated costs of auditing will be
similar to those of ISM. |
13. Lloyd's Register
regularly holds ISM seminars. Will these be expanded to include
security?
Yes, as and when the local need is identified. |
14.
Will local ISM staff assist clients with security issues as
they do with ISM issues?
See Question 6, above. Lloyd's Register will not provide consultancy
services on procedure development to companies where it also
provides certification services. This is a contravention of
IMO requirements. Lloyd's Register will provide assistance
through training and "add value" through the certification
audit process. |
15.
ISPS sounds like another certification scheme similar to ISM.
However, are there any physical issues that will need to be
checked. Are there any defined exercises required?
The ISPS audit regime is similar to that of the ISM Code.
The Code does require the fitting of the ship Security Alert
system and the implementation of various drills and exercises
identified in the SSP. |
16.
Will port state control be involved in anyway?
Yes, port state control is already defined within SOLAS. To
avoid confusion with existing safety related measures, SOLAS
XI-2/9 talks of "officers duly authorised by contracting
governments". To all practical purposes, this is port
state control for maritime security measures. |
17.
It is feared that some countries may take unilateral action.
How can Lloyd's Register help us in that respect?
Lloyd's Register is constantly lobbying through the
IMO and IACS to ensure standardisation of standards and is
in discussion with flag administrations such as the US to
ensure practical solutions. |
18.
Lloyd's Register and other classification societies appear
to be diverting from their usual class business. It is believed
that they are linking safety with security. Companies cannot
train seafarers as anti-terrorist experts?
There is no requirement for this. Threats must be mitigated
primarily through the management system not through the use
of arms. |
19.
What happens if the crew is of a nationality that is not "welcomed"
at the port of arrival? How will IMO protect against race
discrimination?
Contracting governments cannot discriminate on race alone.
There must be compelling need for such action and this will
be decided on a case by case basis. However, the requirements
of the immigration departments of individual governments are
beyond the influence off IMO. |
20.
What additional equipment, alarms, monitors, video recorders,
locks, etc. need to be included in the specification for new
construction?
SOLAS Chapter V has amended the requirement for the fitting
of AIS, Chapter XI-2 requires the fitting of a ship security
alert. Other "hardware" may well be required to
meet the requirements of the ISPS Code. The need for any such
equipment will be identified when the Ship Security Assessment
is carried out. Security hardware is supplied to provide an
effective control against an identified risk.
HELPDESK
ISPS Helpdesk (London)
Tel: +44 20 7423 1477
Fax: +44 20 7423 2951
Email: isps@lr.org
Rick Ferraro
Americas, USA
Tel: +1 772 220 1843
Mob: +1 832 496 6031
Email: rick.ferraro@lr.org
Tony Field
Europe, Middle East and Africa, Rotterdam
Tel: +31 10 20 18 437
Mob: +31 653 11 55 49
Email: tony.field@lr.org
Andy Morris
Asia, Hong Kong SAR PR China
Tel: +852 2287 9399
Mob: +852 6077 9206
Email: andy.morris@lr.org
Source: http://www.lr.org |
