Don Pedro`s ISPS Summary

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Summary of ISPS Convention

(Italics by Don Pedro)

On December 13, 2002, a week long conference at IMO Headquarters in London ended with an adoption of measures to strengthen maritime security and prevent and suppress acts of terrorism against shipping. The reasons can be found in the terrorist attack on World Trade Center in New York.

The Code went effective on July 1, 2004. The conference adopted a number of amendments to SOLAS 1974, the most far-reaching being the ISPS Code. The Code contains detailed requirements in a mandatory section (A) and a series of guidelines about how to do in a section B.

As far as I (Capt. Don Pedro) can see it seems like an addition of risk assessment to ISM for ships and an application of ISM with risk assessment for the ports. As well, existing oil terminal procedures will extend also to general ports. Possible restricted shore-leave for ships' crews? May be military level external security measures at some ports ( developing countries )?

In April, 2003, a senior British shipping official said: "ISPS is like an iceberg; you see only a small, small part of it and nobody knows where it is going". In 2007 I would add to that: "it's still the same - a lot of grey areas".

In June 2005 US Coast Guard issued their Annual PSC report, which states high degree of ISPS compliance for foreign flag vessels. At same time it seems the strongest restrictions on crew shore leave is being implemented by US State Department, not by developing countries as what I guessed before. More info .

For ships this means an addition of:

Ship security plans
Ship security Officer: All passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnes and upwards, mobile offshore drilling units and port facilities serving such ships engaged on international voyages must have a designated Security Officer.
Company security officer(s)
Some additional onboard equipment

PSC will be expanded to include a system of survey certification and control to ensure that ships' security measures are implemented. PSC inspections will not normally extend to examination of the ship security plan itself, except in specific circumstances. There will also be a new International Ship Security Certificate to be carried onboard. Also a new certificate of registration will replace the old Flag State Registration Certificate. Except for PSC inspections there may be additional control measures.

The amendment created a new SOLAS Chapter XI-2, which contains the mandatory requirements for ships to comply with the ISPS Code. The existing SOLAS Chapter XI has been re-numbered as XI-1.

Modifications to SOLAS contain a new timetable for fitting of Automatic Information Systems (AIS) not later than the first Safety Equipment Survey after July 1, 2004, or by Dec. 31, 2004, whichever occurs earlier.

Reg. XI-2 requires all ships to be provided with a ship security alert system. The system shall initiate and transmit a ship-to-shore security alert, identifying the ship, its location and indicating that the security of the ship is under threat or it has been compromised. The system will not raise ( indicate? ) any alarm on-board the ship. Alarm is to be activated from the navigation bridge and in at least one other location.

SOLAS reg. XI-1/3 is modified to require ships' identification numbers to be permanently marked in a visible place either on the hull or on the superstructure. Passenger ships should carry the marking on a horizontal surface visible from the air.

As in ISM, SOLAS REG. XI-2/4 confirms the role of the Master in exercising his professional judgment over decisions necessary to maintain the security of the ship. It says the Master shall not be constrained by the Company, the Charterer or any other person in this respect. Get full IMO report

Additional ISPS Info

Frequently asked questions about ISPS and IMO answers.

Information on ISPS is available in French language.

For information on seamen's shore leave problems, see ITF report: "Access Denied".

It is quite clear ISPS is not and cannot be included in PSC surveys. Only under very special conditions is the PSC surveyor allowed to see the security plan. According to the Code it has to be kept secret. The restrictions do not, however, apply to inspection of ISPS certificates.

Two-year anniversary overview of the effects and lack of effects of the ISPS code shiptalk Newsletter (July 2006).

Don Pedro: Because there is no mechanism like PSC to enforce and control implementation of the ISPS-code, I think mostly Port Administrations (Developing Countries !?) are lagging behind, because it's a completely new concept (= ISM and risk assessment) and they don't know what and how to do.

Some Governments have decided to establish "International Ports" within their regular bigger ports as segregated parts where ISPS will apply (for instance: Manila and Cebu in the Philippines). The rest of those ports as well as other ports in the country are then designated "domestic ports" where ISPS does not apply. Private factory ports will probably comply in their own way.

By 2005 all foreign going ships over 10.000 GRT should have had AIS equipment installed. During 2006 it was the turn of ships 3.000 - 10.000 GRT to install the equipment. This was originally intended as a collision avoidance device.

AIS led IMO to adopt new regulations for Long Range Identification and Tracking ( LRIT ) of ships ( by satellite ) in May 2006. Regulations are included in SOLAS chapter V on Safety of Navigation ( V/19-1 ). LRIT is to be introduced as a mandatory requirement for ships over 300 GRT and for offshore drilling units.

This was expected to come into force January 01, 2008 and by December 31, 2008, LRIT was supposed to be fully operational with respect to the transmission of information. Commercial yachts over 300 GRT have been given a respite with compliance until July 01, 2009.

Get an article with a Master Mariner's personal experiences with AIS when used together with radar and electronic charts.

Although LRIT is intended to increase the safety of ships it has been pointed out that it will also be easy for terrorists, pirates, and hijackers ("shipjackers") to pinpoint the position of any ships at any time.

IMO's "Guidelines on Annual Testing of the Automatic Identification System ( AIS )" [10/2007], pdf (zip) - 0.2 MB

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Get AIS news letter regularly to your e-mail box.

The Nautical Institute's AIS Forum have reports on actual AIS problems that have occurred onboard.

GMDSS is the Global Maritime Distress Signal System which was developed by IMO and fully implemented on January 01.1999. This is the forerunner to all later "modern" maritime safety systems. Regulations covering GMDSS onboard ships are included in SOLAS, Chapter IV ( Radiocommunications ).

In 1976 IMO established the International Mobile Satellite Organization ( INMARSAT ) to provide emergency maritime communications. Under GMDSS requirements all ships over 300 GRT are required to be equipped with satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacons ( EPIRB ) and NAVTEX receiver, to automatically receive shipping safety information.

The regulations governing use of maritime radio / communications equipment ( including GMDSS ) are mainly detailed in the International Radio Regulations, set by the International Telecommunication Union ( ITU ). A radio station licence is required even if the transmitting equipment is not in constant use, or if it is used only for distress purposes.

This covers all ships subjected to SOLAS Chapter IV, i.e. all commercial vessels over 300 GRT in international traffic. Because the equipment isn't intended to be used only for sending emergency signals / messages but also for receiving the same from other vessels, the equipment must be kept in continuous working order. Including a stock of paper for the printer.

At the moment, most fishing vessels and recreational boaters are not required to participate in the GMDSS (2008).

GMDSS also complements the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue ( SAR ). With LRIT and AIS sending their signals, it's difficult to say whether GMDSS is part of ISPS or whether ISPS is a complement to GMDSS. It's all one integrated system.

The operator of the GMDSS equipment must have a GMDSS certificate issued by a maritime authority. This is not because the equipment is difficult to use, but because of the very strict and rigid operating procedures, which must be followed. When an oil rig is equipped with this same equipment the operator must still have the same certificate. Even if a fixed oil rig doesn't fall under SOLAS rules the certification requirement comes from the operating regulations.

For more information go to GMDSS - FAQ. See also additional information on Digital Selective Calling.

GMDSS operational requirements - equipment to be carried onboard and operator qualifications.

In USA the Maritime Transport Security Act, (2002) ( MTSA ) as amended, replaces the ISPS Convention. Compliance of both PSC and ISPS is overseen by the US Coast Guard. List of specific detailed rules files.

In addition to security the "MTSA" requires "Vessel Response Plans" stating how the crew will respond to marine casualties or accidents, including who has been contracted for emergency salvage. Additionally the Plan should include, but is not restricted to: grounding, sinking, stranding, explosion, fire, oil spill, equipment failure, collision, and flooding.

MTSA has further caused US Coast Guard ( USCG ) in June/July 2008 to impose new conditions of entry on vessels calling on the United Sates after port calls in Cuba, Iran, or other ports the Coast Guard has determined "do not maintain effective maritime security / antiterrorism measures". The last 5 foreign ports are considered. The USCG will in certain cases board a vessel entering US waters from such a port. The vessel can then be denied entry into US. [You must register first to get access to the article]

The US Coast Guard uses the following as risk assessment threat scenarios:

Intruder (terrorist ?)take control of ship,
Damage and/or destroy ship with explosives,
Take hostage(s) or kill people,
External attack:
- from water side,
- from shore side, or
- from sub-surface (underwater),
Shooting from distance,
Using vessel as a means of transfer:
- materials, contraband, and/or cash into/out of country, or
- people into/out of country.

ISPS Security Plan check list. It's made according to US Coast Guard rules but can in applicable parts be applied also for ports, terminals, and ships outside USA.

Links to some ISPS trainers: courses for Ship Security Officers ( SCO ), Company Security Officers ( CSO ), and Port Facility Security Officers ( PFSO )

Instructions for surveyors by US Coast Guard for verification and inspection of ship's security plan [PDF

] (US domestic vessels) indicates what the surveyors will look for onboard also foreign flag ships.

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International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

Summary of ISPS Convention

Additional ISPS Info

What is the role of GMDSS ?