The International ship and port facility security code

The Diplomatic Conference on Maritime Security held in London in December 2002 adopted new provisions in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the ISPS code.

These new requirements form the international framework through which ships and port facilities can co-operate to detect and deter acts which threaten security in the maritime transport sector.

The objectives of this Code are:

1. 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;

2. to establish the respective roles and responsibilities of the Contracting Governments, Government agencies, local administrations and the shipping and port industries, at the international and national level for ensuring maritime security.

In order to achieve its objectives, it is necessary to gather and assess information with respect to security threats and exchanging such information;

- to require the maintenance of communication protocols for ships and port facilities;

- to prevent unauthorized access to ships, port facilities and their restricted areas;

- to prevent the introduction of unauthorized weapons, incendiary devices or explosives to ships or port facilities;

- to provide means for raising the alert in reaction to security threats or security incidents;

- to require ship and port facility security plans;

- to require training, drills and exercises to ensure familiarity with security plans and procedures.

The company shall ensure that the ship security plan contains a clear statement emphasizing the master’s authority. The Company shall establish in the ship security plan that the master has the overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the security of the ship and to request the assistance of the Company or of any Contracting Government as may be necessary.

A ship is required to act upon the security levels. There are three levels. The preventive measures are as follows:

1. ensuring the performance of all ship security duties;

2. controlling access to the ship;

3. controlling the embarkation of persons and their effects;

4. monitoring restricted areas to ensure that only authorized persons have access;

5. monitoring of deck areas and areas surrounding the ship;

6. supervising the handling of cargo and ship’s stores;

7. ensuring that security communication is readily available.

Records of the following activities must be kept in an electronic format and must be protected by procedures aimed at preventing their unauthorized deletion, destruction or amendment.

1) training drills and exercises;

2) security threats and security;

3) breaches of security;

4) changes in security level

5) internal audits and review of securing activities;

6) periodic review of the security plan

7) maintenance, calibration and testing of security equipment, if any, including testing of the ship security alert system.

II. NOTES:

to deter – предотвращать

framework – структура

incendiary devices – зажигательные устройства

overriding authority – верховная власть

breaches of security – нарушения охраны

internal audits – внутренняя аудиторская проверка

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What for do we need The I SPS code?

2. When was the ISPS code adopted?

3. What is necessary to achieve objectives?

4. How many leves of security do we need?

5. What records must be kept?