PREPARING SHIP SECURITY PLANS
Under the Maritime Transport Security Act 2003 (the Act), Ship Operators of Regulated Australian Ships as defined under Section 16, will be required to conduct security assessments and prepare Ship Security Plans for implementation prior to 1 July 2004. Well-developed Ship Security Plans will ensure effective risk-based security measures are implemented on Regulated Australian Ships. This guide outlines some key tasks and provides a better practice flow chart that will assist Ship Operators to complete their Ship Security Plan requirements.
The guide should be read in conjunction with the maritime security assessment guidance material available at: http://www.dotars.gov.au/transsec/index.aspx.
1 Identify Regulated Australian Ships
Section 61 of the Act states that a Ship Operator of a Regulated Australian Ship is required to have a Ship Security Plan. The Act defines a regulated Australian ship under section 16 as the following ships servicing or engaged on inter-state and/or overseas voyages:
- Ships that carry more than 12 passengers (including high-speed passenger craft);
- Cargo ships, including high-speed craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards;
- Mobile offshore drilling units;
- Ships of a kind as prescribed in future regulations.
Note: Section 9 of the Act excludes state ships.
2 Appointment of Company Security Officer and Ship Security Officer
The Regulations set out the requirements for Ship Security Officers (SSO) [regs 1.15 and 4.30] and Company Security Officers (CSO) [reg 1.10 and 4.30]. The duties and responsibilities of the SSO and CSO are taken from sections 11.2 and 12.2 of Part A of the ISPS Code. The CSO must be designated prior to submitting a plan for approval. Ship Security Plans must also set out the details of these individuals including a single 24-hour fixed-line or mobile telephone number for the CSO.
3 Conduct Security Assessments
Section 66 (1)(a) of the Act requires that each Ship Security Plan submitted must include a security assessment. A security assessment identifies, analyses, evaluates, and details treatments of treat risks and/or threats to maritime transport security. Ship Operators should consult with any relevant port operators, port facility operators and port service providers when completing a ship security assessment. The security assessment is required to contain a statement outlining the risk context or threat situation for the ship, including consideration of trading routes. To assist in the conduct of Security Assessments DOTARS has prepared a Maritime Security Assessments Guidance Paper and a Maritime Risk Context Statement. These documents are available from the Department’s website listed above.
4 Identify the location of any Ship Security Zones
In accordance with Regulation 4.65, Ship Operators may outline in their security plans, by way of a map or accurate discernible description, proposals for any On‑board Security Zones. The Secretary may establish, by written notice, on-board security zones under Section 110 of the Act.
The requirements for on-board security zones are set out under Regulations 6.110, 6.115 and 6.120. These include clearly identifying the boundaries of the zone, informing crew/passenger/people of the existence of the zone, monitoring and controlling access to the zone and detecting and deterring unauthorised entry to the zone.
5 Prepare Ship Security Plan
The content and form for Ship Security Plans and the provision for the Regulations to prescribe further content and form requirements is set out under Sections 66, 67 and 68 of the Act. All Ship Security Plans must include a security assessment, set out activities or measures to be undertaken at maritime security levels 1, 2 and 3; include contact details of company security officers and ship security officers; and demonstrate that the implementation of the plan will make an appropriate contribution towards the achievement of maritime security outcomes as set out in sub-Section 3(4) of the Act. The Regulations also prescribe further requirements for maritime security plans.
The Department has produced a guide to assist Ship Operators in preparing Ship Security Plans. The use of this guide is highly recommended to streamline the assessment process.
6 Submit Plans for approval
Ship Operators must submit Ship Security Plans to the Secretary and request that their plans be considered for approval. If the Secretary is satisfied that a Ship Security Plan adequately addresses the specific requirements of the Act and the Regulations then the Secretary must approve the plan and give the Ship Operator written notice of approval.
7 Implement Security Plans
An approved Ship Security Plan comes into force, under Section 71 of the Act, at the time specified in the notice of approval. Ship Operators must implement their approved Ship Security Plans within this timeframe to comply with the requirements of their plans. Ship Security Plans must include information about the time required to implement the plan to inform the Secretary in setting this date. Failure to comply with an approved security plan is an offence for a Ship Operator, under Section 63 of the Act, unless they have a reasonable excuse.
8 Verification and Issue of International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)
Once the Ship Security Plan has been implemented, a Maritime Security Inspector will conduct an inspection to verify that the ship meets the requirements determined in writing by the Secretary. When the Maritime Security inspector is satisfied that the requirements have been successfully met, the Department will issue the ship with an (ISSC).
The Secretary will determine a set period of time within which this verification inspection must take place.
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