Maritime Security Courses and Training under ISPS Code and STCW for Seafarers and Port Security Personnel
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) was agreed at IMO in December 2002, is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the Security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities. The ISPS Code is part of SOLAS and compliance is mandatory for the Contracting Parties to SOLAS as per the mandatory Part A of ISPS code which outlines the detailed maritime and port security-related requirements.
Under the ISPS Code, the stakeholders are required to designate appropriate security officers and personnel, on each ship, port facility and shipping company. These officers are charged with the duties of assessing, as well as preparing and implementing effective security plans that are able to manage any potential security threat.
Legislation in Europe, the European Security Legislation and regulations in the United States also demand special security planning. And since 2014, new STCW 2010 requires all crew employed or with Designated Security Duties on vessels to which the ISPS code applies are also require approved security training.
Picture: IBS-INS System
STCW Security Courses
Maritime Security Courses
- Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA): All personnel employed or engaged on board ships to which the ISPS Code applies require this training. This half-day course provides necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to personnel intending to work on ships who will not have any Designated Security Duties. This course is intended to provide the knowledge required to enable personnel without designated security duties in connection with a Ship Security Plan (SSP) to enhance ship security in accordance with the requirements of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code, and section A-VI/6-1 of the STCW Code, as amended. Those who successfully complete this course should achieve the required standard of competence enabling them to contribute to the enhancement of Maritime Security through heightened awareness and the ability to recognize security threats and to respond appropriately.
- Security Training For Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (PDSD): This model course (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties - PDSD) is intended to provide the knowledge required for seafarers with designated security duties in connection with a Ship Security Plan (SSP) to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code, and section A-VI/6 of the STCW Code, as amended. Those who successfully complete the course should be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge to undertake the duties assigned under the SSP.
- Ship Security Officer (SSO): This course is intended to provide knowledge to those who may be designated to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Ship Security Officer (SSO), as defined in section A/2.1.6 (and section A/12) of the ISPS Code and in section A-VI/5 of the STCW Code, as amended, and in particular the duties and responsibilities with respect to the security of a ship, for implementing and maintaining a Ship Security Plan and for liaising with the Company Security Officer (CSO) and with Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs). With this revision of the Ship Security Officer course, specific training to address the problem of piracy and armed robbery against ships is emphasized.
- Company Security Officer (CSO): This course is based on MSC/Circ.1154, ”Guidelines on training and certification for Company Security Officers”, and aims to provide knowledge to those who may be designated to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Company Security Officer (CSO), as defined in paragraph 2.1.7 (and paragraph 11) of the ISPS Code, Part A, and in particular the duties and responsibilities with respect to the security of a ship, for ensuring the development (or for developing) of a ship security assessment, for ensuring the development (or for developing), implementation, maintenance and updating of a ship security plan and for liaising with Port Facility Security Officer.
- Security Awareness Training for All Port Facility Personnel: This course is intended to provide the knowledge required to enable personnel without designated security duties in connection with a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) to enhance security in accordance with the requirements of Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code, the IMDG Code, the IMO/ILO Code of Practice on Security in Ports, and guidance contained in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1341. Successful trainees should contribute to the enhancement of maritime security through heightened awareness and the ability to recognize security threats and respond appropriately.
- Security Awareness Training for Port Facility Personnel with Designated Security Duties: This course aims to provide the knowledge required for port facility personnel with designated security duties in connection with a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code, the IMDG Code, the IMO/ILO Code of Practice on Security in Ports, and guidance contained in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1341. Some examples of the objectives of this course include - knowledge of current security threats and patterns; recognition of detection of weapons, dangerous substances and devices; Crowd Management and control techniques and operation of security equipment and systems. Those who successfully complete this course should be able to undertake the duties and responsibilities as personnel with designated security duties in connection with a PFSP.
- Actions to be taken to Prevent Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery: The emphasis of this course is not on training to fight pirates, but rather to assist trainees to identify, deter or mitigate such actions through proper planning, preparation and coordination with various entities.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS UNDER STCW 2010
The 2010 amendments will include three levels of security training:
- Level One - Security Awareness (For all crew members):
- Level Two - Personnel with Security Duties:
- Level Three - Ship Security Officer - ISPS Code:
- Anti Piracy training will be added to each level