#Marine Notice – No. 61 of 2013. This Marine Notice supersedes Marine Notice No.16 of 2007
Notice to all Owners/Operators of Passenger Ships, Cargo Ships engaged on Domestic Voyages in Ireland, Masters, Local Authorities and Harbour Masters
Maritime Security Measures for Vessels operating on Domestic Voyages in Ireland – Commencing November 2013
Background
EU Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 – Enhancing Ship and Port Facility Security – entered into force on 31 st March 2004.
The objective of this Regulation is to introduce and implement measures aimed at enhancing the security of ships used in international and domestic trade, and associated port facilities within the Member States, in the face of threats of intentional unlawful acts.
Article 3.3 of the Regulation requires that Member States shall, after a mandatory security risk assessment, decide the extent to which they will apply the provisions of this Regulation to different categories of ships operating on national domestic services, their companies and the port facilities serving them.
Member States must notify the Commission of such decisions when they are adopted, as well as of the periodic review, which must take place at intervals of no more than five years.
The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Irish Maritime Administration has completed a five year review of security risk assessments for vessels and ports engaged in domestic shipping operation on the Irish coast.
The risk assessment undertaken, took into account a number of considerations:-
• Vessel type
• Size of vessel
• Cargo
• Operating area
• Port facility location base
• Port facility infrastructure
• Interaction with international shipping traffic
• Seasonality of vessel operations
• Passenger numbers
• Nationality of passengers
• Possible threat scenarios posed to, and by, such vessels.
The maritime security measures to be applied as a result of the risk assessment relate to vessels and are defined in the following text.
Maritime Security Measures Applicable to Irish Registered Vessels engaged on Domestic Voyages to sea in Irish waters from November 2013
Vessel security measures must be applied by their owners/operators on the following basis.
Vessel Type 1:
• Passenger vessels carrying in excess of 100 passengers
• Cargo Vessels of 500 GT or more
Such vessels proceeding to sea on domestic voyages must implement the following security measures for their vessel, including:
Appointing a Company Security Officer,
Appointing a Ship Security Officer,
Creating a vessel specific security plan, and
Ensuring all relevant staff undertake suitable security training.
Vessel Type 2:
• Passenger vessels carrying 100 passengers or less
• Cargo vessels less than 500 GT
The above vessels are not required to create formal security plans but must implement guidelines contained in the Annex of this Marine Notice.
Maritime Security Measures Applicable to all Vessels, which do not proceed to Sea, (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) from November 2013
Vessel Type 3:
• Passenger & Cargo vessels not proceeding to sea on Domestic voyages
Such vessels are strongly recommended to implement the security guidelines contained in the Annex of this Marine Notice on a voluntary basis.
Maritime Security Measures Applicable to Non-Irish Registered Vessels engaged exclusively on Domestic Voyages to sea within Irish Waters from November 2013
In the case of non-Irish registered vessels operating exclusively on domestic voyages to sea, the following will apply:
Such vessels engaged on exclusive domestic service – no more favourable treatment clause applies prior to entering into service. De minimus rule also applies.
EU Flag >100pax or >/=500GT, must comply with Irish Domestic security requirements for Vessel Type 1, in addition to any imposed by their own Flag administration.
EU Flag =/<100pax or <500GT, comply with their own flag requirements and also with Irish guidance as per Vessel Type 2.
All non-EU Flag vessels, regardless of size or number of passengers, must comply with their own flag requirements and specified domestic security requirements as for Irish flag Type 1 & 2 vessels, as appropriate. An additional risk analysis will be carried out by the MSO in respect of such vessels and any resulting requirements are to be complied with prior to entering into service.
The Guidelines for security of domestic shipping proceeding to sea are contained in the Annex to this Marine Notice and are intended to assist managers of domestically operating ships to enhance security on their vessels.
The guidelines may form the basis for companies required to create a mandatory security plan for their vessels.
The MSO can provide a Security Plan Template to assist those owners required to implement mandatory security measures (Vessel Type 1).
Marine Notice No. 16 of 2007 is hereby revoked.
Irish Maritime Administration,
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.
07/11/2013
Encl. : Annex
For any technical assistance in relation to this Marine Notice, please contact:
The Marine Survey Office, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, tel: +353-(0)1-678 3400.
For general enquiries, please contact the Maritime Safety Policy Division, tel: +353-(0)1-678 3418.
Written enquiries concerning Marine Notices should be addressed to:
Irish Maritime Administration, Dept. of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.
email: [email protected] or visit us at: www.dttas.ie
ANNEX to Marine Notice No. 61 of 2013
Security Guidelines for Vessels engaged on Domestic Voyages to Sea
1.0 Access Restrictions on board ALL vessels.
1.1 Non Public areas of vessels should be controlled to prevent unauthorised access. Such areas would include:
Wheelhouse
Machinery spaces
Cargo Storage Areas
Storage Areas
Crew Accommodation
Mooring stations
Emergency Control points.
Safety Equipment storage lockers e.g. Lifejackets, First Aid, Fire Extinguishers.
1.2 Means of control can include:
Padlocks
Shipboard ID System for Crew / Employees
Keypad access control
Local alarming of doors
Security tagging of items with anti-tamper seals
CCTV Installation
Provision of signage identifying an area as restricted to passengers
Crew undertaking regular patrols to check
2.0 Access Control
2.1 Embarking and disembarking of passengers should only occur via a suitable gangway.
2.2 Embarking and disembarking passengers should always be kept separate.
2.3 Embarking must only be allowed when the crew are present on board to receive the passengers and the vessel has been inspected for any unattended or unusual items.
2.4 Embarkation must not occur while cleaning or maintenance of a vessel is being undertaken.
2.5 Passengers must present valid tickets to crew, prior to being allowed on board.
2.6 Particular attention must be paid by the crew when the tidal conditions present the vessel level with a pier to avoid the instance of an unauthorised boarding of the vessel other than by the gangway.
2.7 In the cases of charter groups, the charter representative travelling should:
Advise the vessel of group number travelling
Muster at an agreed location away from the vessel and account for their group prior to boarding
Confirm numbers of mustered group to the vessel.
The boarding of such groups should be overseen and numbers confirmed by a crewmember that liaises with the organiser. A counting device such as a clicker should be used to account for number of persons boarding.
3.0 Pre-departure security announcements
3.1 Pre-departure announcements should advise passengers:
Not to leave any baggage unattended
Report any suspicious items noted on board
Not to enter any restricted areas on board
Consideration should be given to having such advice issued as security posters on board.
4.0 Luggage carried on board
4.1 Unaccompanied luggage should not be placed on board unless satisfactory means of verifying its contents are provided.
4.2 Unless there is a central luggage store, passengers should be, for security purposes, instructed to remain with their luggage at all times.
4.3 On completion of any trip and prior to the next departure, the vessel should be swept for any remaining unaccounted luggage items.
5.0 Visitors and repair contractors
5.1 Official visitors and contractors should present themselves initially to the shore office for clearance prior to attempting to board any company vessel.
Contractors should be asked to provide proof of identification. Passport, Drivers licence or verified company ID are acceptable means of proof.
5.2 A dedicated visitor's pass should be provided by vessel operators, with associated records of who has accessed their vessels.
5.3 Visitors and contractors should be given a security / safety briefing prior to boarding the vessel.
6.0 Security Patrols
6.1 Security patrols are most effective as a deterrent when carried out by uniformed staff and crew members, and improve the chances of recognising unattended or concealed items.
6.2 Items of uniform may include company branded Hi Visibility vests, tee shirts, coats, boiler suits etc.
6.3 Such duties should be shared between suitable trained crew and should be incorporated into their regular duties and routines.
6.4 An agreed search procedure should be in place by the operator to include a check of:
All passenger areas including toilets and luggage storage areas
Cargo holds and common work areas of cargo vessels
Integrity of all restricted areas on board after each voyage.
7.0 Securing Vessels
7.1 Where practical, external doors and storage areas should be kept locked shut, while allowing means to exit rapidly from within the vessel in the event of an emergency.
7.2 If the vessel is left unattended for a period of time such as overnight or seasonal lay-up, the engines should be disabled to prevent theft or unauthorised use.
7.3 Out of service vessels should be securely moored.
7.4 Gangways should be lifted and not left in position on an unattended vessel.
7.5 In ports with mobile security patrols, security staff should be aware of the status of vessels berthed in their port, e.g. laid up, visitor, overnight stay etc.
7.6 Owners should consider the installation of a basic alarm system to detect and warn against tampering with out of service vessels.
8.0 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
8.1 SOPs recommended to be established:
Response to bomb threats
Visiting contractors
Cleaning routines
Vessel inspection routine
Securing of vessel when out of service and security sweep prior to re-entering the vessel.
9.0 Emergency contacts list
9.1 All operators should compile a list of emergency contacts, which should be kept on board the vessel for use in the event of any potential security or even a suspicious incident. The contacts list should include but not be limited to:
Local Garda Station
Local Garda Crime Prevention Officer (for advice on security)
Regional Marine Survey Office (Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport)
Local Harbour Masters (if applicable)
Irish Coast Guard – National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) (to report any security incident at sea).
10.0 Interagency Co-Operation
Operators are encouraged to discuss their security issues with other services and transport facilities, e.g. Bus Services, Cargo Haulage companies; advise them of their security ship board policies, and agree how these services can assist operators in implementing them.
Furthermore, operators are advised to meet with Local Authorities, Port Officials, Gardaí and the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport to discuss their needs.
