Main Aim of ISPS CodeTo 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.

To collect data from all over the world concerning security threats and results to tackle the same.

International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)

Means the International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities consisting of :

Part A (the provisions of which shall be treated as mandatory)

Part B (the provisions of which shall be treated as recommendatory), as adopted, on 12 December 2002, by resolution 2 of the Conference of Contracting Governments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 as may be amended by the Organization, provided that:

Amendments to part A of the Code are adopted, brought into force and take effect in accordance with article VIII of the present Convention concerning the amendment procedures applicable to the Annex other than chapter I; and

Amendments to part B of the Code are adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee in accordance with its Rules of Procedure.

Objectives of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)

To establish an international framework involving co-operation between Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries to detect security threats and take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade; To establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries, at the national and international level for ensuring maritime security; To ensure the early and efficient collection and exchange of security-related information;

To provide a methodology for security assessments so as to have in place plans and procedures to react to changing security levels; and To ensure confidence that adequate and proportionate maritime security measures are in place.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER XI-2 OF THE

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, 1974,

AS AMENDED:In order to achieve its objectives, this Code embodies a number of functional requirements. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Gathering and assessing information with respect to security threats and exchanging such information with appropriate Contracting Governments;

2. Requiring the maintenance of communication protocols for ships and port facilities;

3. Preventing unauthorized access to ships, port facilities and their restricted areas

4. Preventing the introduction of unauthorized weapons, incendiary devices or explosives to ships or port facilities;

5. Providing means for raising the alarm in reaction to security threats or security incidents;

6. Requiring ship and port facility security plans based upon security assessments; and

7. Requiring training, drills and exercises to ensure familiarity with security plans and procedures.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ISPS CODE ARE:

To detect security threats and implement security measures

To establish roles and responsibilities concerning maritime security for governments, local administrations, ship and port industries at the national and international level

To collate and promulgate security-related information

To provide a methodology for security assessments so as to have in place plans and procedures to react to changing security levels

SOURCE: MARINEINSIGHT.COM

SHIP SECURITY PLAN

- means a plan developed to ensure the application of measures on board the ship designed to protect persons on board, cargo, cargo transport units, ship's stores or the ship from the risks of a security incident.

LEVEL 1 – Normal Level

LEVEL 1 – Normal Level

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

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

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

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

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

Minimum access in the ship is maintained at all times.

LEVEL 2- Heightened Risk

LEVEL 2- Heightened RiskIn level 2, the threat to the security is higher than the normal level.

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

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

Access control is maintained all the time with escorting the visitors and use of security equipments like metal detector etc.Communication between port authority and ship administration is always maintained in case of increase in security level.Preparing a full or partial search operation of ship.

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

LEVEL 3 – Imminent danger

LEVEL 3 – Imminent dangerLevel 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Preparation for evacuation of ship by its staff.

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

ISPS CODE FOR VESSELS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

IMPLEMENTING SECURITY LEVELSecurity 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.