ISPS ship security

In this particular case, access is restricted by means of a door. This photograph shows a portable aluminium door and screen erected at the top of the gangway. It is attached to the ships rails via a clamping system. It is lightweight and fairly easy to install once the ship is safely moored alongside and the accommodation ladder has been rigged. The door can only be opened from the ship’s inboard side.

The security door has a clear ‘security notice’ and a bell to attract the attention of the ship’s staff. The bell activates both an audible signal and a highly visible flashing light. Side screens prevent unwanted visitors from climbing around the gate.

This notice was displayed at the first point of access (normally in the vicinity of the accommodation ladder).

At the security gate of this vessel, the seaman on duty requests the visitor’s ID and checks it against his list of anticipated visitors. If the visitor is not expected, the master is advised immediately.

All visitors to this ship are entered ‘in’ and ‘out’ in a visitors log book.

The QM is always in radio contact with the duty officer and/or master.

If a visitor to this ship has a bag, it is searched or screened prior to the visitor receiving a temporary ship’s pass.

Under certain circumstances, body searches may be necessary. On this vessel, discreet searches are carried out using hand-held electronic devices.

Typical hand-held electronic device

Sensible and tactful body screening is important.

Here, clean clear records of all visitors are maintained. Flag administration officers and other port officials may wish to refer to past log entries. The visitors log is kept in a similar fashion to the deck and engineroom logbooks, with all entries in ink and legible.

Pencil and scruffy entries may cause problems, and are discouraged.

Recording visitors to this ship may assist shore authorities and the operator during times of a high security level or a security alert.

This ship’s staff use walkie talkie radios (not GMDSS SOLAS radios) to maintain effective patrols of the deck.

Vigilance is considered essential, and unattended suspect packages are reported.

Here, it is possible to photograph all visitors to the vessel. Records are stowed on a disc or tape, and would be very useful during times of a security alert.

Continuous electronic surveillance on passenger ships is quite common.

In today’s society this is often seen as the acceptable method of quietly and discreetly policing all shipboard areas. Often it is less disruptive than having security guards. Cameras are directional and have a zoom capability. On this vessel, these cameras assist the security staff onboard.

Passenger ships have large numbers of ships staff and passengers to screen. Probably one of the most effective and less disruptive type of screening is the airport type shown here.

To prevent confusion with shore authorities many ships’ staff wear a suitable ID badge – preferably a photo ID.

This particular company issued blue boiler suits and a photo ID.

On this passenger ship, there is a separate secure ‘check-in area’ for the ship’s staff, using a swipe card system which is carefully monitored by the ship’s security team.

Here, external stairways are protected by gates.

Basic protection of your home and your life from unwanted visitors makes good sense. This photograph shows a steel door which can be secured in port restricting access to the stairways.

Some areas of this ship require additional security measures, depending on the trading areas of the ship.

These areas are often overlooked. Simple duct tape or masking tape to reduce the size of the access will assist this ship’s staff completing stowaway searches.

Not forgetting the bosun’s store!

Accommodation interior doors on this ship have been fitted with coded locks.

In the event of a fire, all security procedures should allow for easy escape from inside the accommodation and, in addition, allow ships’ fire fighting crews to enter restricted areas. Coded locks or keyed access locks would appear to be one solution.

The bolt shown here, under the security door lock, would probably be used at night time in pirate areas – all the ship’s staff being safely secured inside the accommodation.

‘Lock it up or lose it’ – secured deck lockers.

This sounding pipe has been secured to prevent pilferage and improve water-tightness of the bilges.

A fully tightened cap with a good thread should not allow unwanted water ingress into the bilges or other areas.

Another method of securing hawse pipes.

This is one area that is often overlooked. Is your funnel door secured?

As shown, many ships now use plastic container seals to ‘back up’ or replace the cargo hold padlock. They can also be used in other places, such as securing the enclosed lifeboat entrances, and for crews’ changing lockers.

Plastic container seals are cheap and are only used once.

Many types of container or hatch security seals are on the market: plastic; wire type; and steel bolt type – effective security that can be visually checked very quickly.

The photograph shows all stores being carefully checked against the invoices prior to acceptance. Suspicious items are treated with care and, if clarification cannot be obtained, the package is separated and reported.

A noticeboard keeps this ship’s staff well informed and regularly updated, thereby improving security.

All onboard, not just a select few, are made aware of shipboard security.

It may be impractical or illegal to have this.

He may also give you a nasty bite and/or disease.