SSO Security Duties and Responsibilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ISPS Code Part A, the SSO is responsible for conducting security surveys of the ship. How often must these surveys be conducted at a minimum?
- Every 5 years
- Annually, or whenever significant changes occur (Correct answer)
- Every 6 months
- Only when directed by the flag state
Correct answer: Annually, or whenever significant changes occur
Ship security surveys should be conducted annually or whenever significant changes occur to the ship or its operating environment.
Question 2: During a ship-to-ship operation (STS), which party is responsible for coordinating security measures between the two vessels?
- Only the receiving ship's SSO
- Only the delivering ship's SSO
- The SSOs of both vessels, in coordination with their respective CSOs (Correct answer)
- The port authority overseeing the operation
Correct answer: The SSOs of both vessels, in coordination with their respective CSOs
During STS operations, both ships' SSOs must coordinate security measures to ensure a Declaration of Security is agreed upon and implemented by both parties.
Question 3: What is the SSO's duty with respect to security equipment on board?
- The SSO is only responsible for CCTV systems
- The SSO must ensure that security equipment is properly operated, tested, calibrated, and maintained (Correct answer)
- Security equipment maintenance is solely the Chief Engineer's responsibility
- The SSO only needs to inspect equipment during port state control visits
Correct answer: The SSO must ensure that security equipment is properly operated, tested, calibrated, and maintained
The SSO is responsible for ensuring that all shipboard security equipment is properly operated, tested, calibrated, and maintained in good working order.
Question 4: A port facility is operating at Security Level 2. What level must the ship adopt?
- The ship may remain at Level 1 unless the flag state directs otherwise
- The ship must automatically adopt Security Level 2 or higher (Correct answer)
- The ship only needs to acknowledge the level without changing its measures
- The decision rests entirely with the Master
Correct answer: The ship must automatically adopt Security Level 2 or higher
When a port facility is at Security Level 2, the ship must implement measures appropriate for Level 2 and acknowledge receipt of the security level notification.
Question 5: Which of the following is a key responsibility of the SSO related to crew and personnel security?
- Negotiating crew contracts
- Ensuring crew holds valid STCW certificates
- Verifying the identities of persons seeking to board the ship and controlling access accordingly (Correct answer)
- Managing crew welfare and recreational activities
Correct answer: Verifying the identities of persons seeking to board the ship and controlling access accordingly
The SSO must control access to the ship, which includes verifying the identity of all persons seeking to board and ensuring only authorized individuals are granted access.
Question 6: What does the ISPS Code require the SSO to do when a threat of stowaways is identified?
- Immediately turn the vessel around
- Conduct a search of the ship and implement measures specified in the SSP for dealing with stowaway threats (Correct answer)
- Notify only the next port of call
- Wait for police to board and conduct the search
Correct answer: Conduct a search of the ship and implement measures specified in the SSP for dealing with stowaway threats
When a stowaway threat is identified, the SSO must conduct searches and implement the security measures specified in the SSP for that threat category.
Question 7: The SSO is required to maintain the confidentiality of the Ship Security Plan. What is the main reason for this requirement?
- To protect commercial business interests of the shipping company
- To prevent potential attackers from learning the ship's vulnerabilities and countermeasures (Correct answer)
- To comply with data privacy regulations
- To limit liability in case of a security breach
Correct answer: To prevent potential attackers from learning the ship's vulnerabilities and countermeasures
The SSP is kept confidential so that potential adversaries cannot exploit knowledge of the ship's security vulnerabilities and the countermeasures in place.
SSO Security Duties and Responsibilities 3
Under ISPS Code Part A, the SSO is responsible for conducting security surveys of the ship.
How often must these surveys be conducted at a minimum?