BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION NOVEMBER 2020 KEEPING THE CREW SAFE IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY ONBOARD SECURITY This guidance provides valuable advice as to how security measures can be implemented to increase the onboard safety and takes into account industry best practices. SECURING THE SHIP – KEEP THE CREW SAFE SECURITY THREATS ARISING FROM GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY, LOCAL CONFLICTS AND SOCIAL STRUGGLES ARE SOME OF THE MODERN DAY CHALLENGES OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY, WHICH MAY IMPOSE AN INCREASED RISK TO A SHIP AND ITS SEAFARERS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE WORLD. Enhanced security measures may have to be implemented on board when operating in these “high-risk” areas to make sure that the seafarers stay safe and feel safe. The physical security threats include terrorism, piracy, robbery and the illegal trafficking of goods and people. Security on board is not only the job of the ship’s security officer, but the job of the entire crew, therefore it is essential to provide the crew with training and appropriate security plans together with the necessary resources to implement them. Various industry guidance has been introduced to assist owners and crew improve security on board. Much of this information deals with specific threats but can be helpful in improving on board safety in general. 2 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE SECURITY MEASURES TO PUT IN PLACE When looking at physical security on board a ship, the following documents are particularly important: SHIP SECURITY PLAN (SSP) This is a requirement of the International Ship and Port Facility Security code (ISPS) and was made mandatory by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in July 2004 by the newly introduced Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. The SSP, based on a Ship Security Assessment and approved by the ship’s Flag State, should indicate the operational and physical security measures that the ship should take to ensure that it always operates at a ‘normal’ level of security, termed as Security Level 1. It should also set out the additional security measures needed for the further heightened levels of Security Levels 2 and 3 and should include details of the: • Organisational structure of security for the ship, including the duties and responsibilities of all shipboard personnel with a security role • Established security measures covering all means of access to the ship and its restricted areas • Security measures relating to cargo handling to prevent tampering; and • Process of evacuating/safeguarding the crew in the event of a security threat. The SSP should also identify the on board Ship Security Officer (SSO) and onshore Company Security Officer (CSO) as well as training and security drill requirements. Furthermore, the SSP must also be protected from unauthorised access or disclosure. 3 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE THE NECESSITY OF INCREASING SECURITY ON BOARD AND TO IMPLEMENT THE CORRECT COUNTERMEASURES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT POTENTIAL THREATS ARE QUICKLY IDENTIFIED AND UNDERSTOOD. As stated above, the Flag or Port State will advise on the applicable security level, as per the ISPS code, which the ship has to comply with in accordance with its SSP. Other areas may be identified as high risk areas as per the BMP publications. This will provide the ship with some prior knowledge of the potential security threats to enable them to respond accordingly. However, even though an area does not have a r