Security Equipment and there maintenance on board a merchant vessel

  Security equipment and systems

The person serving on board should be familiar with the types of security equipment and systems that are useful in enhancing maritime security, both ashore and afloat. Examples of such equipment include:

1. AIS Fitted on bridge and helps in identifying ships in the vicinity which are also fitted with AIS. It is an automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS) for identifying and locating vessels by electronically exchanging data with other nearby ships, AIS base stations, and satellites
2. GMDSS equipment is an international system that uses terrestrial and satellite technology and ship-board radio systems. It enables the rapid, automated alerting of shore-based communication and rescue authorities – in addition to ships in the immediate vicinity – in the event of distress or an emergency situation at sea. It is fitted on bridge and allows communication with ships in the vicinity as well the company and other shore authorities including distress.
3. Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) Fitted on the bridge with second operating switch located in a secret location which is only known to the Master and SSO. It allows transmission of a silent security alert to a flag state authority when the security of the ship is under threat or has been compromised. The key is that the perpetrator of the threat does not become aware of the operation of the SSAS.
4. Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes
5. Automatic Intrusion Detection Device (Burglar Alarm) Alarm is generated whenever undesirable intrusion or attack on a ship or on any sensitive compartment of a ship occurs. This is not so necessary on board a cargo ship, but is very essential on a passenger ship.
6. General alarm Fitted on bridge and used to communicate emergency internally to ships crew. 
7. Locks A lock is a mechanical or electronic fastening device that is released by a physical object (such as a key, keycard, fingerprint, RFID card, security token etc.), by supplying secret information (such as a key code or password), or by a combination thereof.
8. Lighting In the field of physical security, security lighting is often used as a preventive and corrective measure against intrusions or other criminal activity on a physical piece of property. Security lighting may be provided to aid in the detection of intruders, to deter intruders, or in some cases simply to increase the feeling of safety. A ship may use waterline lighting to detect a pirate attempting to come alongside for boarding.
9. Handheld radios  A handheld radio is a compact and portable radio unit that can be carried anywhere and can be used at any time, even while the operator is in motion. Handheld radios are convenient for communication exchanges in a number of situations, including emergency alerts, rescue operations, adventure expeditions, marine explorations, and military maneuvers. The radios are regularly used to relay traffic conditions, route directions, weather alerts and other public service information.
10. Metal detectors A metal detector is an electronic instrument which detects the presence of metal nearby. Metal detectors are useful for finding metal inclusions hidden within objects, or metal objects buried underground. They often consist of a handheld unit with a sensor probe which can be swept over the ground or other objects. If the sensor comes near a piece of metal this is indicated by a changing tone in earphones
11. Explosive detectors are security equipment able to detect explosives of small magnitude.
12. Baggage screening equipment Screening officers use specialized equipment to screen passengers’ checked baggage (or hold baggage) to prevent the boarding of prohibited items such as explosives.
13. Container X-ray Devices Normally fitted on Port facilities for screening containers for or contraband cargo like drugs or even human trafficking before loading on ship. This equipment is simple to use and easy to maintain and persons designated to carry out security duties should be thoroughly familiar with their use.

     

    Operational limitations of security equipment and systems

    Each security person is to be familiar with functional limitations and operating constraints of security equipment that he uses. Factors such as effective range, environmental sensitivities, and operator (human) error should be known and applied correctly.

     There are multiple companies which provide security equipment and therefore it is not possible to list out standard performance data. However, ship’s crew must read the Instructions manual and become thoroughly familiar with equipment.

     

    Testing, calibration and maintenance of security equipment and systems

    Maintenance routine for each equipment is clearly laid down in the Manufactures manuals and it is the responsibility of ships Security officer to ensure that these instructions are complied with.

    However, each security person is to ensure that he uses equipment which correctly tested and calibrated and if not, he should approach SSO for corrective action.