Appendix A - Guidelines for Commercial Non-Passenger Vessels

 The vessel should be searched to ensure that nothing illegal or harmful has been placed on board. The vessel should be searched at the end of an outward trip before starting the return voyage to ensure that nothing has been concealed or left behind. To the extent possible, checks should include any crew areas, stores, holds, underwater hull if concern prevails and areas that could conceal persons or articles that may be used for illegal purposes.

 There should be agreed procedures on how to isolate a suspect package if found and how to evacuate the vessel quickly and safely.

 With due regard to the need to facilitate escape in the event of an emergency, external doors and storage areas should be locked and portholes secured. If the vessel is to be left unattended for a lengthy period of time such as overnight, it is recommended that the engine is disabled to prevent theft/unauthorized use and that it is moored securely in compliance with local port by-laws. Masters should ensure that the gangway is raised when the vessel is left unattended.

 Members of the public should not be able to gain access to operational areas of the vessel, or maintenance/storage facility such as crew rest rooms, store rooms, cleaning cupboards, hatches and lockers. All doors leading into operational areas should be kept locked or controlled to prevent unauthorized access. The only exception to this should be where access is required to reach safety equipment or to use emergency escapes. Keys for doors should be kept in a secure location and controlled by a responsible person. If access is controlled by keypad, the code should only be given to people with a legitimate need to know. It is also recommended that codes are changed periodically. Where such access controls are in place, crew should be reminded of the importance of ensuring that nobody following can bypass the access controls.

 The following are suggested measures to deter unauthorized access to the vessel:

• • over-the-side lighting which gives an even distribution of light on the whole hull and waterline
  • keeping a good watch from the deck
  • challenging all approaching boats. If unidentified, they should, where possible, be prevented from coming alongside.

 All visitors should report to the Master of the vessel, or other responsible person to notify them of their arrival. It is recommended that they be advised on security procedures, such as the following:

• • The need to be escorted at all times;
  • The need to wear a permit, if issued, at all times;
  • The need for vigilance at all times when on the vessel. Should they find a suspicious item, they should not touch it but should contact a member of crew as soon as possible. Similarly, they should contact a member of crew if they see a person acting suspiciously; and
  • The need to secure all doors behind them when leaving, particularly those doors which lead to operational areas of the vessel. If they are leaving a work site, they must ensure that it is locked and that all equipment has been securely stored.

 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.

 Contingency measures should be in place for dealing with emergency navigational and health and safety alerts on board vessels. These plans may be adapted to include procedures for security alerts and incidents.

 If a suspicious device or package is found while a vessel is at sea, the master should take into account:

• • the size and location of the device;
  • the credibility of the threat;
  • the vessel's location and the time it will take for security services and other assistance to arrive;
  • the need to keep everyone well clear of the suspect device; and
  • the need for all on board to keep clear of all doors, trunks and hatches leading from the space containing the device to avoid possible blast injuries.

 Vessel operators should implement procedures and processes for reporting and recording security incidents.

 In the event of a security incident occurring while the vessel is at sea the master, in addition to activating an appropriate response, should alert the nearest coastal State or authorities and/or vessels in vicinity and provide details of the incident.