STCW Security Awareness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the ISPS Code, a Ship Security Plan (SSP) must be approved by which authority?
- The port facility security officer
- The flag State Administration or recognized security organization (Correct answer)
- The company's safety management officer
- The International Maritime Organization directly
Correct answer: The flag State Administration or recognized security organization
The SSP must be approved by the flag State Administration or a recognized security organization acting on its behalf.
Question 2: Which of the following actions best describes 'security vigilance' aboard a vessel?
- Locking all doors and hatches at all times
- Remaining alert to unusual behavior, suspicious items, and unauthorized access attempts (Correct answer)
- Reporting only confirmed security threats to the master
- Restricting crew movement to assigned work areas only
Correct answer: Remaining alert to unusual behavior, suspicious items, and unauthorized access attempts
Security vigilance means continuously observing and reporting anything unusual that could indicate a security threat.
Question 3: A crew member notices an unknown bag left unattended in the engine room. What is the FIRST correct action?
- Open the bag to identify the contents
- Move the bag to a secure storage area
- Do not touch it and immediately report to the Ship Security Officer (Correct answer)
- Ignore it until the end of the watch
Correct answer: Do not touch it and immediately report to the Ship Security Officer
Unattended bags should never be touched; they should be reported immediately to the SSO as a potential security threat.
Question 4: The Declaration of Security (DoS) is an agreement between:
- The master and the port authority's harbor master
- A ship and a port facility outlining each party's security responsibilities for an interface (Correct answer)
- The SSO and the company security officer confirming the SSP is current
- The flag State and the coastal State regarding vessel search procedures
Correct answer: A ship and a port facility outlining each party's security responsibilities for an interface
A DoS is a formal agreement between a ship and port facility (or ship-to-ship) defining their respective security responsibilities during the interface.
Question 5: Which Security Level requires the highest degree of security measures because a security incident is probable or imminent?
- Security Level 1
- Security Level 2
- Security Level 3 (Correct answer)
- Security Level 4
Correct answer: Security Level 3
Security Level 3 is set when a security incident is probable or imminent and requires the most stringent protective measures.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of conducting a Ship Security Assessment (SSA)?
- To train crew in emergency fire procedures
- To identify potential vulnerabilities and threats so the SSP can address them (Correct answer)
- To certify the ship for international trading routes
- To record past security incidents for insurance purposes
Correct answer: To identify potential vulnerabilities and threats so the SSP can address them
The SSA identifies potential vulnerabilities and threats to the ship, forming the basis for developing an effective Ship Security Plan.
Question 7: Under STCW, seafarers with designated security duties must hold which certification?
- A basic safety training certificate only
- A proficiency in security awareness certificate only
- A proficiency in designated security duties (PDSD) certificate (Correct answer)
- A Ship Security Officer certificate regardless of role
Correct answer: A proficiency in designated security duties (PDSD) certificate
STCW requires seafarers with designated security duties to hold a Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD) certificate under Table A-VI/6-2.
STCW Security Awareness 2
Under the ISPS Code, a Ship Security Plan (SSP) must be approved by which authority?