From security compliance to operational readiness

A review of a Company’s ISPS internal audit feedback may reveal few or even zero findings. But being compliant does not always mean being ready. The question every Master, SSO and CSO should keep in mind is: If a real security incident happens today, is the ship actually ready to respond?

Security legislation provides the necessary framework. It establishes responsibilities, procedures, security levels, training, drills, access control, checklists, reports and other measures to be implemented onboard. Compliance is essential, but compliance and operational readiness are not exactly the same thing.

Compliance is the starting point

A procedure can be correctly written but difficult to follow. A drill can be completed and recorded without seriously testing the crew. Equipment can be available but not immediately ready for use. Crew members may know their assigned duties but hesitate when faced with an unexpected situation. Additionally, the operational workload may affect the crew’s attitude toward activities not directly related to the vessel’s commercial operations.

The Ship Security Plan should not be considered only as a document to be followed and presented during an inspection. It should provide the basis for the vessel’s response, while allowing the Master and SSO to consider the actual threat, location, vessel condition and circumstances at the time.

Security threats are not predictable. An intruder may board from an unexpected location. A suspicious craft may approach while the crew is occupied with cargo operations. An attack may occur during darkness, bad weather or crew change. Communications may fail, or a person expected to perform a particular duty may be unavailable. A prepared vessel should therefore be capable of responding when the situation does not develop exactly as described in a procedure.

Drills should test, not confirm

This is why good practice requires different drill scenarios, conducted at different times and in different areas of the ship. Security drills are one of the best opportunities to determine whether written procedures actually work. Their value should not be measured by how quickly the drill is completed or whether the required record has been signed. A useful drill should create some uncertainty. The crew should know their responsibilities, but they do not always need to know exactly how the scenario will develop.

Instead of simply announcing an “unauthorized person onboard” drill, the SSO could place the simulated intruder in an unexpected area and observe how long it takes for the situation to be identified and reported. In another drill, the normal communication method could be declared unavailable. The objective is not to make the exercise unnecessarily difficult, but to identify weaknesses during a drill rather than during a real incident.

A drill does not need to finish perfectly. If a crew member goes to the wrong muster location, communication is delayed, an access point cannot be secured or responsibilities are unclear, something valuable has been identified. What matters is what happens afterwards.

When procedures meet reality

Operational readiness is also about whether the physical security arrangements actually work. Can a door remain securely locked without compromising safety or emergency escape requirements? Can the bridge maintain reliable communication with personnel in the designated safe area? Does CCTV provide adequate coverage during darkness? Is emergency equipment accessible if the normal access route is unavailable? Can the Master quickly contact the CSO or relevant authorities when needed?

Current BMP Maritime Security guidance follows the same practical approach before entering an area of increased threat: brief the crew, conduct drills with protective measures in place, review emergency plans, test essential equipment, check access-point security and ensure that personnel understand their response to different threats.

Learning from weaknesses and near misses

The Master and SSO should discuss significant observations with the crew and determine whether problems resulted from training, communication, equipment, procedures or the security arrangements themselves. Where necessary, the CSO should become involved and lessons should be shared with other vessels in the fleet.

The same principle applies to actual security events and near misses. An unidentified small craft approaching the vessel, an unlocked restricted area or an unauthorized visitor reaching the wrong deck can provide useful lessons even when no serious incident occurs.

A security system must work when needed

Operational readiness ultimately depends on the people onboard. Security becomes effective when crew members understand why measures are in place rather than simply following them because the SSP requires it.

The best indication of readiness is not a perfectly completed security record or checklist. It is a crew that notices when something is wrong, reports it without hesitation and understands how to respond. Compliance demonstrates that a security system exists. Operational readiness demonstrates that it can actually work when needed.