Navigating the vast and unpredictable seas comes with its own set of challenges and risks. That’s where the Ship Security Assessment (SSA) plays a pivotal role.
The Panama Maritime Authority informs tat according to the ISPS Code, Part A/8, it is required for all Company Security Officers of vessels to ensure Ship Security Assessments (SSA) are carried out to all the vessels under their responsibility by persons with appropriate skills to evaluate the security of ships in accordance with the ISPS Code.
The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) is an essential and integral part of the process of developing and updating the Ship Security Plan on board flagged vessels.
The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) shall include an on-scene security survey but is not limited to the following elements:
- Identification of existing security measures, procedures, and operations;
- Identification and evaluation of key shipboard operations that it is important to protect;
- Identification of possible threats to the key shipboard operations and the likelihood of their occurrence, in order to establish and prioritize security measures; and
- Identification of weaknesses, including human factors, in the infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
The Ships Security Assessment (SSA) shall be documented, reviewed, accepted, and retained by the company.
A Ship Security Assessment (SSA) should address the following elements on board flagged vessels:
- Physical security;
- Structural integrity;
- Personnel protection systems;
- Procedural policies;
- Radio and telecommunication systems, including computer systems and networks, following the Guidelines on Maritime Cyber Risk Management described in the MMC-354;
- Other areas that may, if damaged or used for illicit observation, pose a risk to people, property, or operations on board the ship or within a port facility.
The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) should consider the continuing relevance of the existing security measures and guidance, procedures, and operations, under both routine and emergency conditions and should determine security guidance relevant to:
- Restricted areas;
- Response procedures to fire or other emergency conditions;
- The level of supervision of the ship’s personnel, passengers, visitors, vendors, repair technicians, dock workers etc;
- The frequency and effectiveness of security patrols;
- Access control systems, including identification systems;
- Security communications systems and procedures;
- Security doors, barriers, and lighting; and
- Security and surveillance equipment and systems.
The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) should consider all possible threats, which may include the following types of security incidents:
- Damage to, or destruction of, the ship or port facility, e.g., by explosive devices, arson, sabotage, or vandalism;
- Hijacking or seizure of the ship or of persons on board;
- Tampering with cargo, essential ship equipment or systems, or ship’s stores;
- Unauthorized access or used, including the presence of stowaways;
- Smuggling weapons or equipment, including weapons of mass destruction;
- Use of the ship to carry those intending to cause a security incident and/or their equipment;
- Use of the ship itself as a weapon or as a means to cause damage or destruction;
- Attacks from seaward whilst at berth or at anchor; and
- Attacks whilst at sea.
The SSA shall be sent, together with the SSP, to the RSO by a predetermined method to prevent unauthorized disclosure. The RSO shall review the SSA to ensure that each element required by the code is satisfactorily addressed and is used as a reference for the SSP.
Vessels transiting high-risk areas or operating in ports where piracy attacks occur should carry out a security assessment as a preparation for the development of measures to prevent attacks of pirates or armed robbers and on how to react should an attack occur (For reference visit Maritime Security Link, IMO Documents).
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