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Ship Security Officer (SSO)

Course Topics

  • 1.1 COURSE OVERVIEW
  • 1.2 COMPETENCES TO BE ACHIEVED
  • 1.3 CURRENT SECURITY THREATS AND PATTERNS
  • 1.4 SHIPS AND PORT OPERATIONS AND CONDITIONS
  • 2.1 FAMILIARITY WITH RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, CODES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  • 2.2 FAMILIARITY WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION AND REGULATION
  • 2.3 DEFINITIONS
  • 2.4 Legal implications of action or non-action by security personnel
  • 2.5 HANDLING SENSITIVE SECURITY–RELATED INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • 3.1 CONTRACTING GOVERNMENTS
  • 3.2 RECOGNIZED SECURITY ORGANIZATIONS
  • 3.3 THE COMPANY
  • 3.4 THE SHIP
  • 3.5 THE PORT FACILITY
  • 3.6 SHIP SECURITY OFFICER
  • 3.7 COMPANY SECURITY OFFICER
  • 3.8 PORT FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER
  • 3.9 SEAFARERS WITH DESIGNATED SECURITY DUTIES
  • 3.10 PORT FACILITY PERSONNEL WITH DESIGNATED SECURITY DUTIES
  • 3.11 OTHER PERSONNEL
  • 4.1 Risk assessment methodology
  • 4.2 ASSESSMENT TOOLS
  • 4.3 ON-SCENE SECURITY SURVEYS
  • 4.4 Security assessment documentation
  • 5.1 SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
  • 5.2 Operational limitations of security equipment and systems
  • 5.3 TESTING, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS
  • 6.1 PURPOSE AND CONTENTS OF THE SHIP SECURITY PLAN
  • 6.2 Contents of the Ship Security Plan
  • 6.3 CONFIDENTIALITY ISSUES
  • 6.4 IMPLEMENTATION, MAINTENANCE AND MODIFICATION OF THE SHIP SECURITY PLAN
  • 7.1 RECOGNITION AND DETECTION OF WEAPONS, DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES AND DEVICES
  • 7.2 METHODS OF PHYSICAL SEARCHES AND NON-INTRUSIVE INSPECTIONS
  • 7.3 EXECUTION AND COORDINATION OF SEARCHES
  • 7.4 RECOGNITION, ON A NON-DISCRIMINATORY BASIS, OF PERSONS POSING POTENTIAL SECURITY RISKS
  • 7.5 CROWD MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES
  • 8.1 ACTIONS REQUIRED BY DIFFERENT SECURITY LEVELS
  • 8.2 MAINTAINING SECURITY OF THE SHIP/PORT INTERFACE
  • 8.3 FAMILIARITY WITH THE DECLARATION OF SECURITY
  • 8.4 REPORTING SECURITY INCIDENTS
  • 8.5 EXECUTION OF SECURITY PROCEDURES
  • 9.1 EXECUTION OF CONTINGENCY PLANS
  • 9.2 SECURITY DRILLS AND EXERCISES
  • 9.3 USE OF CITADEL WHERE PROVIDED ON BOARD
  • 10.1 DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS
  • 10.2 SECURITY AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS
  • 11 Training

1.1 COURSE OVERVIEW

  • This course aims 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).
  • Those who successfully complete this course should be able to undertaker the duties and responsibilities as Ship Security Officer, as defined in Section A/12.2 of the ISPS Code, and in Section A-VI/5 of the STCW Code, as amended, which include, but are not limited to:

  • Undertaking regular security inspections of the ship to ensure that appropriate security measures are maintained.

  • maintaining and supervising the implementation of the Ship Security Plan, including any amendments to the plan;
  • Coordinating the security aspects of passengers and/or the handling of cargo and ship's stores with other shipboard personnel and with the relevant Port Facility Security Officers;
  • Proposing modifications to the Ship Security Plan;
  • Reporting to the Company Security Officer any deficiencies and non-conformities identified during internal audits, periodic reviews, security inspections and verifications of compliance and implementing any corrective actions;
  • enhancing security awareness and vigilance on board;
  • ensuring that adequate training has been provided to shipboard personnel, as appropriate;
  • reporting all security incidents;
  • Coordinating implementation of the Ship Security Plan with the Company Security Officer and the relevant Port Facility Security Officer; and
  • Ensuring that security equipment is properly operated,tested,calibrated and maintained, if any.