SSO Maritime Security Regulations & ISPS Code 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which document must a ship present to port State control officers to demonstrate ISPS Code compliance?
- Ship Safety Management Certificate
- International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) (Correct answer)
- Continuous Synopsis Record only
- Port Facility Security Record
Correct answer: International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)
The International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) is the primary document verifying that a ship complies with ISPS Code requirements.
Question 2: Under ISPS Code, a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) may be authorized to:
- Enforce port security regulations on behalf of flag States
- Approve SSPs and issue ISSCs on behalf of the flag State Administration (Correct answer)
- Train all port facility security officers
- Establish national maritime security policy
Correct answer: Approve SSPs and issue ISSCs on behalf of the flag State Administration
An RSO may be authorized by a flag State to approve Ship Security Plans and issue International Ship Security Certificates.
Question 3: What is the validity period of an International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)?
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 1 year
Correct answer: 5 years
An ISSC is valid for a maximum period of five years from the date of issue.
Question 4: ISPS Code Part A is described as:
- Mandatory guidance for port facilities
- Recommended guidance for ships
- Mandatory requirements for governments, companies, and ships (Correct answer)
- Optional framework for Contracting Governments
Correct answer: Mandatory requirements for governments, companies, and ships
ISPS Code Part A contains mandatory requirements that must be implemented by Contracting Governments, companies, and ships.
Question 5: The Ship Security Assessment (SSA) forms the basis for which document?
- Continuous Synopsis Record
- Port Facility Security Plan
- Ship Security Plan (Correct answer)
- Company Security Policy
Correct answer: Ship Security Plan
The Ship Security Assessment identifies vulnerabilities and threats that the Ship Security Plan must address.
Question 6: Which SOLAS regulation specifically prohibits a ship from being in a port of a Contracting Government without a valid ISSC?
- SOLAS XI-2/3
- SOLAS XI-2/9
- SOLAS XI-2/12 (Correct answer)
- SOLAS XI-2/5
Correct answer: SOLAS XI-2/12
SOLAS Regulation XI-2/12 grants port States authority to control ships, including denying entry to ships lacking valid ISSCs.
Question 7: When a ship moves from a port operating at Security Level 1 to one operating at Security Level 2, who normally informs the ship?
- The Company Security Officer
- The flag State Administration
- The port facility or the Contracting Government (Correct answer)
- The master of the previous port
Correct answer: The port facility or the Contracting Government
The port facility or the relevant Contracting Government informs the ship of the prevailing security level before arrival.
SSO Maritime Security Regulations & ISPS Code 3
Which document must a ship present to port State control officers to demonstrate ISPS Code compliance?