The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) is an essential and integral part of the process of developing and updating Ship Security Plans (SSP).

Shipping companies are required to designate a Company Security Officer (CSO) to co-ordinate the security activities of the company and its ships on one hand and port facilities and Governments on the other. The CSO is also responsible for ensuring the security systems are fully maintained and internally audited. Each ship is to have a designated Ship Security Officer (SSO), who may be the ships master. The CSO and SSO are required to have knowledge of the security system and to have received appropriate training; this also applies to other personnel assigned security duties. In addition to maintaining the SSP they are to ensure its effective implementation by carrying out drills and exercises at appropriate intervals. The guidance gives a three month interval for drills, or within a week of changing more than 25% of the crew (if they have not participated in a drill on that ship within 3 months) and annual exercises.

When ships are intending to enter a foreign port they may be required to provide information by the port state including: - Confirmation the ship possesses a valid ISSC, - Security level at which the ship is operating, - Security level at which the ship operated in the last ten ports of call, - Special or additional security measures undertaken at the last ten ports of call, - Confirmation that appropriate procedures were maintained during any ship-to-ship activity between the last ten ports of call, - Other practical security related information.

An International Ship Security Certificate issued under the ISPS Code will be accepted as prima facie evidence that the ship is in compliance with the MTSA and its implementing regulations, with the exception of 33 CFR Parts 104.240, 104.255 and104.295 as appropriate. We will verify implementation of the ship security plan through our robust port state control regime.

If a MODU is mechanically propelled " ie able to make a voyage as opposed to being just able to move around a wellhead " it will need an ISSC, with no exceptions.

International Chamber of Commerce (International Maritime Bureau) run a website at http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/menu_imb_bureau.asp IMO publish monthly, quarterly and annual reports of piracy and armed robbery against ships at MSC Circulars. The Latest annual report is MSC.4/Circ.32 which can be found at: http://www.imodocs.imo.org

The International Ship and Port facility Security Code was adopted at the IMO on 12 December 2002. The Code has two parts: Part A which contains mandatory requirements and Part B which contains detailed guidance. Contracting Governments must implement the mandatory requirements of the Code, taking into account the guidance, by 1st July 2004.

Responsibilities of Contracting Governments, e.g. setting security levels and providing guidance for protection from security incidents, establishing the requirements for a Declaration of Security, testing the effectiveness of ship security plans and or port facility security plans and exercising control and compliance measures in accordance with SOLAS X-1 2/9; - A Declaration of Security addressing the security requirements that could be shared between a port facility and a ship (or between ships) and stating the responsibility each shall take. - Obligations of the company to "ensure the ship security plan contains a clear statement emphasizing the master’s authority" and "ensure the company security officer, the master and the ship security officer are given the necessary support to fulfil their duties and responsibilities". - Ship security with activities defined as to how a ship is required to act upon security levels set by Contracting Governments. - Ship Security Assessments to be "carried out by persons with appropriate skills to evaluate the security of a ship" and to include an on-scene survey and a number of other elements. - Ship Security Plan approved by the Administration and carried on board ship. - Records of certain "activities addressed in the ship security plan shall be kept on board for at least the minimum period specified by the Administration" These records to be protected from unauthorised access or disclosure. - Provisions for designated company security officers and ship security officers. - Training, drills and exercises concerning ship security. - Verification and certification for ships. Other requirements under Amendments to SOLAS chapters V and XI include: - Carriage requirements for ship borne navigational systems and equipment. - Requirements as to where and how the ship’s identification number will be permanently marked. - Every ship to which chapter I of SOLAS applies must have a Continuous Synopsis Record containing specified information. - Provision of a ship security alert system as specified in SOLAS XI-6

The ISPS Code and the Amendments to SOLAS apply to the following types of ships engaged on international voyages: - Passenger ships, including high-speed passenger craft. - Cargo ships (including commercial yachts) also includes high-speed craft, of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, - Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs). They also apply to port facilities serving such ships engaged on international voyages. The Code does not apply to Warships, naval auxiliaries or other ships owned or operated by a Contracting Government and used only on Government non-commercial service

The ISPS Code will apply to commercial yachts over 500 GT. It will not apply to commercial yachts under 500GT or to private yachts. A yacht carrying over 12 fare paying passengers will be classed as a passenger vessel. If it is also over 500 gt and engaged on international voyages, then the ISPS Code will apply. The reference to this in the code is ISPS Code reference is A/3.1.1.