SSO Security Duties & Emergency Preparedness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a Ship Security Officer suspects an unauthorized person has accessed a restricted area, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Detain the individual immediately
- Alert the Master and conduct a security sweep of the area (Correct answer)
- Call port security directly
- Ignore it if nothing appears disturbed
Correct answer: Alert the Master and conduct a security sweep of the area
The SSO must immediately notify the Master and initiate a security sweep to assess the extent of any breach.
Question 2: Under the ISPS Code, what document records all security incidents, drills, and training conducted aboard the vessel?
- Ship Security Plan
- Continuous Synopsis Record
- Ship Security Log/Record (Correct answer)
- Declaration of Security
Correct answer: Ship Security Log/Record
The Ship Security Record (or log) documents drills, exercises, incidents, and changes to security levels as required by ISPS Code.
Question 3: A vessel is transitioning from Security Level 1 to Security Level 2. Which additional measure is most critical for the SSO to implement?
- Increase frequency of security patrols and restrict access points (Correct answer)
- Evacuate all non-essential personnel immediately
- File a report with the IMO
- Cancel all cargo operations indefinitely
Correct answer: Increase frequency of security patrols and restrict access points
Security Level 2 requires heightened vigilance including more frequent patrols and tighter access control without full lockdown.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a Declaration of Security (DoS)?
- To declare the ship free of stowaways
- To agree on security measures between a ship and a port facility or another ship (Correct answer)
- To certify the Ship Security Plan is up to date
- To notify flag state of a security incident
Correct answer: To agree on security measures between a ship and a port facility or another ship
A DoS establishes agreed security responsibilities between a ship and a port facility or between two ships during an interface.
Question 5: During a security drill, crew members fail to correctly identify their muster stations. What should the SSO do?
- Document the failure and schedule remedial training (Correct answer)
- Report the crew to the flag state immediately
- Cancel all future drills until the issue is resolved
- Replace the crew at the next port
Correct answer: Document the failure and schedule remedial training
Drill deficiencies must be recorded and addressed through targeted retraining to ensure genuine readiness.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the SSO's role during a bomb threat received via radio?
- Independently decide whether to search the vessel
- Follow the Ship Security Plan procedures and notify the Master and Company Security Officer (Correct answer)
- Immediately abandon ship
- Only act if the threat is deemed credible by the Master
Correct answer: Follow the Ship Security Plan procedures and notify the Master and Company Security Officer
The SSO must follow SSP procedures, which include notifying the Master and CSO and initiating a search protocol.
Question 7: Under SOLAS Chapter XI-2, who bears ultimate responsibility for the security of the ship?
- Ship Security Officer
- Company Security Officer
- Master (Correct answer)
- Port State Control Officer
Correct answer: Master
The Master retains ultimate authority and responsibility for the safety and security of the ship, crew, and cargo.
SSO Security Duties & Emergency Preparedness 2
When a Ship Security Officer suspects an unauthorized person has accessed a restricted area, what is the FIRST action to take?