Practical ISPS Exercises

Act before it's too late!

Piracy and armed robbery are a real threat in sea areas around the world. But this is not the only hazard crew members and shipowners have to handle these days. Terrorism, blackmail, drug smuggling, hijacking and even bombs on board ships - the list of potential threats is chilling.

The IMO has already responded to the increasing possibility of hazardous situations occurring by adopting the new ISPS Code with mandatory maritime security requirements applying to shipping companies, ships and port facilities. The aim is to establish an international framework to detect and assess security threats and ensure preventative measures are taken against security incidents.

ISPS Code Requirement

In order to ensure the effective co-ordination and implementation of ship security plans it is not only necessary to carry out onboard drills at appropriate intervals - as required by the ISPS Code PartA/13.4. According to ISPS Code A/13.5 taking into account the guidance given in Part B/13.7 the Company Security Officer (CSO) also has to participate in exercises once each calendar year in order to ensure the co-ordination and efficiency of the ship security plan onboard.

These exercises should test communications, co-ordination, resource availability and response. They may be:

1. full-scale or live
2. tabletop simulation or seminar; or
3. combined with other exercises held, such as search and rescue or emergency response exercises.

Besides the Company Security Officer (CSO) it is also possible to involve the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), relevant authorities of contracting governments as well as the Ship Security Officers (SSO) if applicable.

GL's Service

To professionally support ship owners with these regular exercises, Germanischer Lloyd Academy (GLAc) offers its assistance regarding the organisation and the performance. GLAc therefore jointly acts with qualified consultants of SEC4 GLOBAL PROJECTS GmbH (SEC4), a leading specialist in operational risk and security management.

The co-operation between the shipping company and GLAc/SEC4 would be arranged as follows:

1. Pre-meeting at the shipping company's premises

Selection of scenario and explanation of details regarding organisation and performance of the exercise
Introduction to the company's security and emergency system by a company representative (e.g. CSO)
Agreement on time and location of the exercise
Agreement on course of exercise

2. Performance of the exercise under the supervision of GLAc/SEC4 experts

Opening meeting
Initialization of scenario
Performance of the exercise by the ship's crew and the company's shore Emergency Response Team
Supervision, controlling and facilitation through GLAc/SEC4 including importing situations and actions, co-ordination, observation and recording
Detailed de-briefing through GLAc/SEC4

3. Providing the company with a full report about the conduction of the exercise, including: