— The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. —
CAMM Positions
04-05: Ship Security Officers (ISPS Code)
Ship Security Officers (ISPS Code)
Additional Officer needed
OPPOSED
CAMM is in opposition to the proposed implementation by the USCG of the ISPS code in light of the new security-related duties that will be imposed on Masters. CAMM has studied the new requirements and suggests that effective enactment of all of the rules and regulations required by the plan as written do not include the addition of another watch officer to the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection requirements. The ISPS Code requires the SSO (Shipboard Security Officer) to administer and supervise a ship’s security plan and be trained to carry out a number of duties as prescribed in Parts A & B. These duties include:
- Testing and Operating Security Equipment
- Conducting Security Inspections and Audits
- Crew Training, Evaluation and Drilling
- Enable measure to prevent cargo tampering and monitoring
- Administer and control restricted areas to a ship
- Proposing modifications to the ship security plan
- Reporting all security incidents
- Co-ordinationg implementation of the ship security plan with the Company.
- Administer, train and monitor personnel, baggage, cargo and space searches.
- Administer, train and monitor personnel in detection of weapons, dangerous substances and devices.
It is important to note that the USCG asked for and received huge inflows of both funding and personnel as their security duties to the US mounted yet are asking already overworked officers to properly implement an entire new aspect of shipboard operations with important responsibilities without the consideration of any additional personnel resources.
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