SSO Ship Security & Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Declaration of Security (DoS)?
- To log cargo manifests for customs
- To record mutual security responsibilities agreed between ship and port facility (Correct answer)
- To certify the ship meets SOLAS fire safety standards
- To notify the flag state of a port arrival
Correct answer: To record mutual security responsibilities agreed between ship and port facility
A DoS documents the agreed security measures and responsibilities shared between the ship and the port facility for a specific interface.
Question 2: Under the ISPS Code, how often must drills testing individual security duties be conducted?
- At least once every 3 months (Correct answer)
- At least once every 6 months
- At least once every 12 months
- At least once every 18 months
Correct answer: At least once every 3 months
The ISPS Code requires drills to be conducted at least once every three months to ensure crew proficiency in their security roles.
Question 3: Which section of the Ship Security Plan addresses procedures for responding to security threats or breaches?
- Access control procedures
- Restricted area procedures
- Security incident response procedures (Correct answer)
- Ship-to-port interface procedures
Correct answer: Security incident response procedures
Security incident response procedures outline how the crew should react when a threat or actual breach of security occurs.
Question 4: A ship receives a threat that does not yet meet the threshold for Security Level 3. What Security Level 2 measure should the SSO prioritize?
- Evacuate all non-essential personnel
- Increase frequency of monitoring and patrol (Correct answer)
- Close all watertight doors
- Activate the ship alert system immediately
Correct answer: Increase frequency of monitoring and patrol
At Security Level 2, ships heighten vigilance by increasing the frequency of monitoring, patrols, and checking of persons and cargo.
Question 5: Which ISPS Code part contains mandatory requirements applicable to ships and port facilities?
- Part A only (Correct answer)
- Part B only
- Both Part A and Part B
- Neither; requirements come only from SOLAS XI-2
Correct answer: Part A only
ISPS Code Part A contains the mandatory provisions, while Part B provides guidance and recommended practices.
Question 6: What action must the Master take if the required level of security cannot be maintained on a ship-to-ship activity?
- Proceed at reduced speed
- Notify the company and flag state and decline the activity if necessary (Correct answer)
- Contact the nearest coast guard automatically
- Complete a DoS and proceed regardless
Correct answer: Notify the company and flag state and decline the activity if necessary
If the Master determines security cannot be maintained during a ship-to-ship operation, the company and flag state must be notified and the activity may be refused.
Question 7: For a ship operating on an international voyage, the ISSC is valid for a maximum of how many years?
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
Correct answer: 5 years
An International Ship Security Certificate is issued for a maximum period of five years, subject to intermediate verifications.
SSO Ship Security & Planning 3
What is the primary purpose of a Declaration of Security (DoS)?