Ship Security Assessment ( SSA ) on a merchant vessel as per ISPS Code Part A

What is Ship Security Assessment

1                 1.      Assessment of ships is the ability to take correct security measures and in time as per the 

          ISPS Code to ensure security of crew, ship and environment.  

2.        The SSA is a written document that is based on the collection of background information and

        the completion and analysis of an on-scene survey of vessel.

3.      A single SSA may be performed and applied to more than one vessel ( sister ships ) to the 

       extent that they share physical characteristics and operations.

 

What is included in SSA

1.    Identification of existing security measures, procedures and operations.

2.    Identification and evaluation of key vessel operations that it is important to protect.

3.   Identification of possible threats to the key vessel operations and the likelihood of their 

      occurrence, in order to establish and prioritize security measures.

4.    Identification of weaknesses, including human factors in the infrastructure, policies and 

      procedures.

 

How is SSA done / carried out

     1.    The Company Security Officer is responsible to ensure that SSA is correctly carried out. 

     2.    The CSO should therefore study previous reports on similar security needs. 

    3.     To prepare SSA, the CSO should ensure that proper assessment of threat, port facilities and 

            ships characteristics is carried out. For example: -

A.  Security situation in ship's trading area needs to be analyzed. Security measures required in a port on the Southern Mediterranean coast which in majority of cases is experiencing volatile conditions are going to be qualitatively and quantitatively different than situation on the Northern coast. 

B.  Type and characteristics of ship need to be analyzed. Bulker are generally slower than container ships and have low freeboard. Containers are faster but may also have low freeboard. Whereas tanker have low freeboard, comparatively low speeds and also great potential for pollution which is attractive to terrorists.

C. Nature of possible countermeasures need to be analyzed. This may involve some additional fortifications like locking of doors, erection of barbed wire barriers or creation of citadels.

  4.      CSO then ensures that SSA is carried out by persons with appropriate skills to evaluate the 

            security of a ship, in accordance with the ISPS Code. 

 5.       SSA is normally not done by the ships staff but by a Recognized Security Organisation (RSO).

           However, Vessel personnel with specific security duties may be called upon to assist in these 

            evaluations. 

 6.       CSO should ensure that personal involved in conducting SSA, use Methodology and guidance 

           set out in the United States Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular NVIC 10-2). 

 7.       The Ship Security Assessment shall be documented, verified and retained by the Company.

 

 On-scene security surveys

·                          The first step in SSA is the On-Scene Survey which is done by the RSO .

·                         The RSO should examine and evaluate existing vessel protective measures, procedures and 

                operations to confirm that: - 

               1.  All security duties are correctly performed. 

               2. Access Control to ship is achieved through use of identification systems.

·                      3. Embarkation of ship's personnel as well as other persons and their effects and unaccompanied 

                  baggage is controlled.

·                     4. Proper supervision of handling of cargo and the delivery of vessel stores.

·                    5. Monitoring restricted areas to ensure that only authorized persons have access.

·                   6. Monitoring deck areas and areas surrounding the vessel and ensuring the ready availability of

                security communications, information, and equipment.

 

The following background information must be provided to any SSA team for on-scene survey

·                        

• General layout of the vessel.
•  Location of areas that should have restricted access, such as the bridge, engine room, radio room, etc.
• Location and function of each actual or potential access point to the vessel.
• Open deck arrangement including the height of the deck above water.
• Emergency and stand-by equipment available to maintain essential services.
• Numerical strength, reliability, and security duties of the vessel’s crew.
• Existing security and safety equipment for protecting the passengers and crew.
• Existing agreements with private security companies for providing vessel and waterside security services.
• Existing protective measures and procedures in practice, including inspection, control and monitoring equipment, personnel identification documents and communication, alarm, lighting, access control and other appropriate systems. 
• Ships personnel with specific security duties are often called upon to assist RSO in this task.

 

Preparation of SSA documents

On completion of On-Scene Survey, The RSO will prepare SSA keeping in mind following factors: -,

·         Physical Security.

·         Structural Integrity.

·         Personal Protection System.

·         Procedural Policies.

·         Radio and Telecommunication System.