Port Security
Over the last few years security has become increasingly
important in maritime circles. Like other sectors
the yachting industry has undergone some significant
changes. Following on from the major terrorist
attacks in 2001, the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO) was entrusted to undertake the task of
safeguarding the maritime community by implementing
new mandatory security regulations to UN member
states. To do this the organisation devised a
series of wide reaching new measures which would
be implemented via amendments to the pre-existing
1970s regulations - Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS).
The new code would be called International Ship
and Port Facility Security (ISPS) and would bring
a far more structured and thorough approach to
the whole question of security. Specifically
the code would apply to vessels engaged on international
voyages; namely all passenger ships and all cargo
ships over 500 GRT and also any port receiving
such vessels.
The code was drawn up in such a way that it would
be open to interpretation by contracting
governments and their delegated authorities
or Recognised Security Organistions (RSOs). In
Italy, the RSO or competent authority
for implementing the code is the Italian Coastguard
(who also act as harbour masters for Italian
ports). In Venice any vessel registered as being
commercial and 500 GRT or over is classified
as being subject to the ISPS code. As things
currently stand there are only 2 berthing areas
available to yachts of this kind with a Port
Facility Security Plan (PFSP) in place: Riva
dei Sette Martiri and San
Basilio.
As touched on in the Port
Procedures and Regulations section
of this site, any vessel requiring a DOS and/or
subject to ISPS should
make this clear to their agency well
before arrival (at least 3 days
notice is preferable). This is to ensure sufficient
time for the PFSO and SSO to co-ordinate and
establish the level of risk as well as ensuring
that the minimum measures foreseen by the facility's
plan are arranged in good time. Depending on
the circumstances, vessels subject to ISPS in
Venice may be required to make a Declaration
Of Security (DOS). If this is the case the
PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer) will arrange
a meeting through your agency with the SSO (Ship
Security Officer) to arrange a convenient time
and place to compile and sign the DOS.
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