STCW Security Awareness 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A seafarer observes a colleague photographing restricted machinery spaces with a personal device. What is the correct response?
- Assume it is for personal use and take no action
- Ask the colleague to stop and report the incident to the SSO (Correct answer)
- Confiscate the device immediately
- Report directly to flag State authorities bypassing the SSO
Correct answer: Ask the colleague to stop and report the incident to the SSO
Unauthorized photography of restricted areas is a security concern that should be challenged and reported to the Ship Security Officer.
Question 2: Which of the following is a recognized method to harden a ship against pirate boarding attempts as recommended by BMP?
- Painting hull numbers in bright colors for visibility
- Rigging razor wire along rails and using fire hoses to repel boarders (Correct answer)
- Issuing firearms to all crew members
- Stopping the vessel to await naval escort before transiting any risky area
Correct answer: Rigging razor wire along rails and using fire hoses to repel boarders
BMP recommends physical hardening measures including razor wire, citadel use, and water spray systems, but not the arming of crew.
Question 3: What information should crew members AVOID sharing on social media while on active voyage?
- Personal photos from port visits taken prior to departure
- Vessel position, cargo details, route, and arrival schedules (Correct answer)
- General maritime news and industry updates
- Past voyage highlights from completed trips
Correct answer: Vessel position, cargo details, route, and arrival schedules
Sharing real-time vessel position, cargo details, or schedules on social media creates a security vulnerability that can be exploited by pirates or criminals.
Question 4: When a vessel is at Security Level 2, which additional measure is typically implemented over Level 1?
- Crew is confined to quarters and non-essential movement is prohibited
- Additional personnel are assigned to access control and more thorough screening is applied (Correct answer)
- All external communications are suspended until the level is lowered
- The master assumes all SSO duties personally
Correct answer: Additional personnel are assigned to access control and more thorough screening is applied
At Security Level 2, heightened measures such as additional personnel for access control and more intensive checks on persons boarding are applied.
Question 5: The term 'ship-to-ship (STS) operation' poses a security concern primarily because:
- STS transfers are prohibited in international waters under SOLAS
- They can be used to smuggle contraband, people, or weapons during cargo transfer (Correct answer)
- Crew fatigue significantly increases during STS operations
- Insurance coverage is typically void during STS operations
Correct answer: They can be used to smuggle contraband, people, or weapons during cargo transfer
STS operations create an access opportunity that can be exploited for smuggling contraband, illegal migrants, or weapons between vessels.
Question 6: What is a 'citadel' in the context of anti-piracy measures?
- An armed escort vessel provided by naval forces
- A designated hardened safe room where crew shelter when a vessel is being boarded (Correct answer)
- A database of known pirate vessels maintained by naval intelligence
- An anti-piracy fence installed around the entire deck perimeter
Correct answer: A designated hardened safe room where crew shelter when a vessel is being boarded
A citadel is a pre-designated, hardened safe room or area where crew can lock themselves in and communicate with authorities if pirates board the vessel.
Question 7: Access to a vessel by riding personnel (e.g., pilots, surveyors) should be controlled by:
- Allowing immediate access to any person displaying official-looking identification
- Verifying identity, checking authorization, and recording their presence in the ship's access log (Correct answer)
- Denying all external visitors unless approved by the flag State in writing
- Letting the harbor master vouch for any persons sent aboard in port
Correct answer: Verifying identity, checking authorization, and recording their presence in the ship's access log
All persons boarding must have their identity verified and recorded, and their authorization confirmed, regardless of their stated official role.
STCW Security Awareness 4
A seafarer observes a colleague photographing restricted machinery spaces with a personal device.
What is the correct response?