7 Planning for security events

  7.1.1 Bomb threats are usually anonymous and communicated by telephone. While bomb threats are usually hoaxes intended to cause a nuisance, they must be taken seriously as a small number have been genuine and have preceded a terrorist or criminal act. It is recommended that advice is sought from local authorities on how to handle any genuine bomb threats that may be received.

  7.1.2 Plans and procedures should be in place for dealing with health and safety alerts both on a vessel and at piers. These plans may be adapted to cover security alerts. Responsible individuals should consider various possible scenarios and appropriate responses. Scenarios could include:

• i) Suspect packages found on board a vessel or at a pier;

• ii) Individuals behaving suspiciously either on a vessel or at a pier;

• iii) Security alert at another pier or on another vessel requiring suspension of operations; and

• iv) A direct attack against a vessel or pier by unknown persons which could include ramming or the successful explosion of an Improvised Explosive Device

  7.1.3 Responsible individuals should similarly consider how to isolate a suspect package if found without removing or touching it and how to evacuate the vessel and piers quickly and safely. Planning should include being aware of who to contact, such as the police, emergency services, or other operators and how to document the incident.

  7.1.4 Any Guidelines relating to management of bomb threats should include contact details for police or other public authorities responsible for immediate actions in the event of bomb threats.

  7.2.1 Operators of non-SOLAS vessels should provide all personnel with contact information for authorities responsible for emergency response, the national response centre(s) (if appropriate) and any other authorities that may need to be notified.

  7.2.2 Operators of non-SOLAS vessels should consider and identify the actions that crew members should take in the event of a security incident. Such actions might include:

• what the crew should do when a vessel is moored or underway;
• how to notify authorities that a security incident is taking place (e.g., making radio calls, sounding alarms, etc.); and
• how crew members should protect themselves, their vessel and the public.

  7.2.3 Reports of security incidents on board a vessel should be reported to the Master or Vessel Security Officer as appropriate.

  7.2.4 All personnel should report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities. The report should include details of the activity and its location. The list below gives examples of activities which may by themselves constitute suspicious behaviour, any one of which may be considered suspicious by itself. However, those suspicions may warrant particular attention when one or more behaviour or a pattern of behaviour is observed or detected. The list is not exhaustive.

• i) Information gathering activities:

  • Unknown persons photographing vessels or facilities.
  • Unknown persons contacting, by any media, a ship or facility for the purpose of ascertaining security, personnel or standard operating procedures.
  • Unknown persons attempting to gain information about vessels or facilities by walking up to ship or facility personnel or associated individuals, or their families, and engaging them in conversation.
  • Theft or the unexplained absence of standard operating procedures documents.

• ii) Attempted inappropriate access:

  • Inappropriate or unauthorized persons attempting to gain access to vessels or facilities.
  • Unknown or unauthorized workmen trying to gain access to facilities to repair, replace, service, install or remove equipment.

• iii) Activities in a port and its environs:

  • Theft of facility vehicles, vehicle passes, personnel identification or personnel uniforms.
  • Inappropriate use of Global Maritime Distress Safety and Security procedures.
  • Suspicious individuals establishing ad hoc businesses or roadside stands either adjacent to or in proximity of port facilities.
  • Repeated or suspicious out of ordinary attempts at communication by voice media with duty personnel.
  • Vehicles or small vessels loitering in the vicinity of a facility without due cause for extended periods of time.
  • Unknown persons loitering in the vicinity of a facility without due cause for extended periods of time. ^footnote

  7.3.1 The following are general Guidelines for precautionary measures which may be taken to safeguard a non-SOLAS vessel while in port, irrespective of whether at anchor or alongside a berth, to protect the vessel against trafficking in drugs and the transportation of illicit cargoes:

• The crew should be warned about the risks of knowingly transporting illicit cargoes and trafficking in drugs.
• Crew going ashore should be advised that they should take care to ensure that persons they are meeting with are not connected with illegal activities.
• The vessel might maintain a security log book at the point of entry/exit to the vessel, recording the identity of all persons boarding or disembarking. No unauthorized persons should be allowed to board.
• A permanent watch may be advisable in working areas. If appropriate, areas such as the forecastle, poop deck, main decks, etc., must be well lit during the hours of darkness.
• The vessel should maintain a good lookout for approaching small boats, or the presence of unauthorized divers, or other attempts by unauthorized persons to board the vessel.
• In the event of drugs or illicit cargoes are found on board, the crew should cooperate fully with the local authorities for the duration of the investigation.

  7.4.1 For the purposes of the Guidelines a stowaway is defined as a person who is secreted on a vessel, or in cargo which is subsequently loaded onto a vessel, without the consent of the vessel owner or the master or other responsible person, and who is detected on board after the vessel has departed from a port and is reported as a stowaway by the master to the appropriate authorities.

  7.4.2 The visible actions of the crew in implementing security measures will act as a deterrent to potential stowaways. Examples of general precautionary measures for the prevention of stowaways are set out below:

• Prior to entering port, doors and hatchways should be securely fastened and locked with due regard to the need to facilitate escape in the event of an emergency.
• Fitting plates over anchor hawse pipes can prevent stowaways from boarding at anchorage or before a vessel is berthed.
• Accommodation doors could also be secured and locked, leaving only one open entrance. In the interests of safety, keys to the locked doors should be placed in convenient positions so that doors can be opened in the event of emergency.
• Store rooms, equipment lockers on deck, the engine room and the accommodations should remain locked throughout a port call, only being opened for access and re-secured immediately thereafter.
• Once alongside, a gangway watch is the first line of defence against stowaways, smugglers and theft. For this reason, it is important to ensure that an effective gangway watch is maintained at all times.
• At the commencement of loading only the hold access doors of the compartments that are going to be used for the immediate loading of cargo should be opened. As soon as cargo operations cease, the compartment should be secured.
• The vessel's storerooms should also be kept locked at all times, only being opened when access is required.
• There may be some areas of the vessel that cannot be locked, for instance the funnel top. Any unlocked areas that can be accessed should be inspected on a regular basis.
• On completion of cargo loading operations and the disembarkation of all shore-based personnel, accessible areas of the vessel should be searched again.
• In high-risk ports consideration should be given to anchoring in some convenient position outside the port and making a final stowaway search after tugs and pilots depart.

  7.4.3 A detected stowaway should be reported to the appropriate authorities. Any stowaways detected should be treated in accordance with humanitarian principles. However, some stowaways may be violent, and the safety and security of the vessel and its crew should not be compromised.