GovWire

Overview

The maritime community has a series of special measures to enhance maritime security. These are contained in the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.

This guide explains how maritime security is managed in the UK, how security measures are applied and how you should comply with them. It also provides guidance on how to deal with stowaways and deter acts of violence against merchant ships, such as piracy and armed robbery.

You can find guidance and information on maritime security training. It also explains how Ship Identification Numbers (SINs) and Continuous Synopsis Records (CSRs) work.

Maritime security management

The Maritime Security and MLC Branch is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and co-ordinates a series of special measures to ensure security in the maritime community.

The Maritime Security and MLC Branch

The Branch provides technical advice and guidance to make sure that SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and ISPS Code are consistently applied and maintained.

The Department for Transport and the Maritime Security and MLC Branch

DfT is responsible for security across all forms of transport, including maritime.

As policy leaders and advisers, DfT implements measures in UK ports that security arrangements meet UK standards.

The MCA is responsible to DfT for:

• implementing the ISPS Code for all UK-registered ships
• undertaking security aspects of Port State Control (PSC) inspections of foreign vessels in UK ports, including passenger ships where this is a logical extension of the PSC inspection
• receiving and handling ship security alerts in line with agreed standard operating procedures
• approving and auditing training providers for Ship Security Officer (SSO) and Company Security Officer (CSO) courses

The ISPS Code is a comprehensive set of measures designed to strengthen the security of ships and port facilities.

It was historically implemented in UK through the EU regulation on enhancing ship and port facility security (725/2004). The Ship and Port Security (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came into force on EU exit day. At this time, SI 2019 No. 0308 amends 2004/0725 (Regulation), SI 2004 No. 1495, SI 2009 No. 2048 and revokes 2008/0324 (Regulation).

The code takes the approach that ensuring the security of ships and port facilities is a risk management activity and that, to determine what security measures are appropriate, an assessment of the risks must be made in each particular case.

The purpose of the code is to provide a standardised, consistent framework for evaluating risk. This enables governments to counteract changes in threat with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities by adopting the appropriate security levels and corresponding security measures.

For further information please email hq_maritimesecurity@mcga.gov.uk. You can call the MCA Security and MLC Branch during office hours on +44 (0)20390 85178 or in case of urgent technical enquiries may call MCA Duty Surveyor during out of office hours on +44 (0)7810 528504. This duty surveyor number must not be used for any urgent or routine enquires during normal office hours.

Ship Security Plans

To comply with the ISPS Code requirements, every company/ship must have a Ship Security Plan (SSP). As a minimum, this must address the requirements in paragraph A/9.4 and B/9.2.

The purpose of an SSP is to:

• help prevent illegal acts against the ship, crew and passengers
• minimise damage to the marine environment and port facilities

SSPsfor UK-registered vessels must be approved by theMCA or by Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) when ISSC certification for those EAS vessels are delegated to RSOs.

When you submit an SSP it must be accompanied by a Ship Security Assessment (SSA). The SSA is an essential and integral part of the process of developing and updating an SSP. In addition MCA form MSF5611 to be completed by the CSO and submitted along with the SSP.

While formulating SSP, CSO to take guidance for UK ship security requirements from Maritime Security Measures (MSM) which is available from Maritime Security and MLC branch or CSM. MSM show CSOs for UK-registered ships what must be contained within SSPs.

For further information please email hq_maritimesecurity@mcga.gov.uk. You can call the MCA Security and MLC branch during office hours on +44 (0)203 9085178.

You should send your SSP to hq_maritimesecurity@mcga.gov.uk for approval. There is no charge applicable for approving SSPs at present.

Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS)

The SSAS is part of the ISPS Code. It is a system that contributes to the International Maritime Organizations (IMOs) efforts to strengthen maritime security and suppress acts of terrorism and piracy against shipping.

The SSAS for UK-registered ships should be programmed to send an alert to a nominated 24 hour contact and to the UK Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (UK-JRCC).

To notify the MCA of changes in contact details of the nominated contact or of the CSO, the CSO should complete MSF5608 and send it to the address detailed on the form.

SSAS is not required to be fitted on board ships where ISPS code is not applicable. However, if a shipowner decides to fit a SSAS on board those ships, the Master and key crew on board must get training and familiarisation on activating, deactivating and limiting false alert from the SSAS unit fitted on board. MSF5608 (ISPS Code Contact Details) must be completed and sent to MCA for recording details of the CSO and vessel.

For further information please email HQ_maritimesecurity@mcga.gov.uk. You can call the MCA Security and MLC Branch during office hours on +44 (0)20390 85178.

Ships that must comply with maritime security requirements

The SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code apply to the following types of ships engaged on international voyages:

• passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft
• cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards
• mobile offshore drilling units

The UK has extended the ISPS Code to include:

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