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Transiting High-Risk Areas
Introduction to Ship Protection Measures
When a ship is meant to transit to a high-risk area, additional security measures must be put in place to ensure maximum safety during the voyage.
The Ship Security Plan (SSP) onboard will have information about the procedures to be followed to enhance the security of the ship. Before transiting such areas, the CSO (Company Security Officer) and the SSO (Ship Security Officer) together with the Master, will review the content of the SSP and discuss the best actions to be taken.
The ship hardening procedures can be divided into the following sections:
Watchkeeping.
Manoeuvring and Alarms.
Physical Barriers.
Citadel.
Every ship is provided with security equipment as per the discretion of the company, but it is important to note that firearms are not permitted onboard. With that said, special armed guards might be provided to the ship during their voyage through high-risk areas. Some of the security equipment provided onboard may include but not be limited to:
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Ship security alert system (SSAS) as per SOLAS Chapter XI-2.
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Additional door locks to prevent unauthorized entry.
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Security Lighting.
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Handheld Radios.
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CCTV.
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Physical Barriers such as barbed wire.
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Water Cannons.
Watchkeeper onboard. Photo: Jörgen Språng
Watchkeeping in High-Risk Areas
Watchkeeping is of paramount importance when transiting through such high-risk areas since this is the first line of defense. The additional requirements for watchkeeping will be highlighted in the ship security plan (SSP). Proper watchkeeping will ensure immediate awareness of any unidentified approaching boats which in return will give the crew more time to prepare their defence. Additional actions as per the SSP will be implemented onboard. These will include:
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Posting additionally trained look-outs in various locations onboard.
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Maintaining an all-around lookout from high places.
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Ensuring that look-outs are properly rested for more effective watchkeeping.
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Enhancing the bridge team and ensuring proper equipment for watchkeeping is provided (such as binoculars).
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Where required, night vision aids should be provided to assist with watchkeeping during nighttime.
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A radar watch must be properly kept to ensure the detection of all ships.
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Proper Radio watch to be kept.
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Mannequins may be used to make it look like there is additional manpower onboard.
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CCTV systems and security lighting systems should be properly used to assist with better monitoring.
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Any access points such as gangways and pilot ladders or any embarkation ladders should be properly secured.