STCW Security Awareness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organization developed the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code?
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) (Correct answer)
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- World Customs Organization (WCO)
Correct answer: International Maritime Organization (IMO)
The ISPS Code was developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and adopted in 2002 following the 9/11 attacks.
Question 2: What does 'piracy' legally require, as defined by UNCLOS, that distinguishes it from 'armed robbery at sea'?
- The use of firearms rather than edged weapons
- The act must occur in international waters (on the high seas) (Correct answer)
- Involvement of a state-sponsored vessel
- A ransom demand must be made
Correct answer: The act must occur in international waters (on the high seas)
Under UNCLOS, piracy is defined as illegal acts committed on the high seas; similar acts in territorial waters are classified as armed robbery against ships.
Question 3: A stowaways discovered aboard after departure should FIRST be reported to whom?
- The nearest coast guard station via VHF
- The master, who then notifies the company, flag State, and next port authority (Correct answer)
- The port authority of the last port of call only
- The crew directly so they can be put ashore
Correct answer: The master, who then notifies the company, flag State, and next port authority
Discovery of stowaways must be reported to the master first, who then follows the reporting chain to the company, flag State, and destination port authority.
Question 4: The Best Management Practices (BMP) guide is used primarily to help vessels in which context?
- Complying with MARPOL pollution regulations in port
- Reducing the risk of piracy and armed robbery, particularly in the High Risk Area (Correct answer)
- Managing cargo documentation during multi-port voyages
- Conducting fire and abandon-ship drills efficiently
Correct answer: Reducing the risk of piracy and armed robbery, particularly in the High Risk Area
BMP provides industry-recommended measures to reduce the risk of piracy and armed robbery in the High Risk Area around the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
Question 5: What is 'social engineering' in the context of maritime security threats?
- Manipulating crew members through deception to gain unauthorized access or information (Correct answer)
- Using social media to post voyage details publicly
- Organizing port labor unions to disrupt vessel operations
- Engineering changes to crew welfare programs
Correct answer: Manipulating crew members through deception to gain unauthorized access or information
Social engineering involves manipulating people through psychological tactics to obtain unauthorized access, sensitive information, or entry to restricted areas.
Question 6: Under the ISPS Code, how often must a ship's security drill be conducted?
- Monthly, with a full exercise at least once per calendar year
- Weekly, similar to fire drills
- At least once every three months, with exercises every 12 months (Correct answer)
- Only when security level changes occur
Correct answer: At least once every three months, with exercises every 12 months
ISPS requires security drills at least once every three months and security exercises at least once every 12 calendar months.
Question 7: What is the significance of a vessel's Continuous Synopsis Record (CSR)?
- It records all cargo loaded and unloaded at each port
- It provides a verifiable onboard history of the ship, including ownership, flag, and SSO changes (Correct answer)
- It documents crew certifications and training records
- It logs all security incidents and near-misses during a voyage
Correct answer: It provides a verifiable onboard history of the ship, including ownership, flag, and SSO changes
The CSR is an onboard document providing a transparent historical record of key vessel information such as flag, ownership, and class, enhancing maritime security accountability.
STCW Security Awareness 3
Which organization developed the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code?