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Slide 1 · SECURITY TODAY, SAFE VOYAGES TOMORROW
SECURITY TODAY, SAFE VOYAGES TOMORROW
ISPS CODE
SSA, SSP &
AMENDMENTS
Understand the Security Framework
that Protects Ships, Crew & Cargo
THE RULES BEHIND
A STRONGER SHIP SECURITY
Slide 2 · 1 | SHIP SECURITY ASSESSMENT
1 | SHIP SECURITY ASSESSMENT
THE FOUNDATION OF THE SHIP SECURITY PLAN
Think of the SSA as the risk intelligence that feeds everything else.
THE SSA IS USED TO IDENTIFY:
THE SHIP'S PARTICULAR FEATURES
Including physical and operational characteristics and voyage pattern.
POTENTIAL THREATS & VULNERABILITIES
Associated with shipboard operations.
THE LIKELIHOOD OF THREATS OCCURRING
To prioritise security measures that matter most.
WEAKNESSES, INCLUDING HUMAN FACTORS
Infrastructure, policies and procedures, including the people side of security.
DOCUMENTED, REVIEWED, ACCEPTED & RETAINED BY THE COMPANY
The basis for the Ship Security Plan.
The CSO is responsible for ensuring that the SSA is carried out by persons with appropriate skills. Subject to the applicable requirements, an RSO may carry out the SSA.
ORAL TIP
"SSA tells us what the ship's security risks and vulnerabilities are. The SSP tells us what measures we will take."
ISPS CODE | PART A
Slide 3 · 2 | SHIP SECURITY PLAN
2 | SHIP SECURITY PLAN
THE SHIP'S WRITTEN SECURITY FRAMEWORK
The SSP is the approved plan that translates the security assessment into practical security measures and procedures.
It must be approved by the Administration or an authorised RSO and carried on board.
THREE SECURITY LEVELS
1
LEVEL 1
Normal security measures
2
LEVEL 2
Additional or intensified security measures
3
LEVEL 3
Specific protective measures in response to a security incident or imminent threat
KEY SSP PROVISIONS
Prevention of unauthorised weapons, dangerous substances and devices
Restricted areas and control of access
Prevention of unauthorised access to the ship
Response to security threats and breaches
Response to Security Level 3 instructions from Contracting Governments
Evacuation procedures in case of a security threat or breach
Duties of shipboard personnel assigned security responsibilities
Procedures for auditing security activities
Procedures for training, drills and exercises
The SSP must be written in the ship's working language or languages, with an English, French or Spanish version also available where required.
ISPS CODE | PART A
Slide 4 · 3 / 4
ISPS CODE | PART A
3 | AMENDING THE SHIP SECURITY PLAN
A LIVING DOCUMENT REQUIRES CONTROLLED CHANGE
WHEN IS AN AMENDMENT NEEDED?
AUDITS
DRILLS
INCIDENTS
NEW OPERATIONS
SECURITY FINDINGS
THE AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
1
IDENTIFY THE NEED
Review deficiencies, incidents, drills, audits and operational changes.
2
PROPOSE THE MODIFICATION
The SSO may propose modifications to the SSP.
3
REVIEW THE CHANGE
The CSO ensures that the SSP is appropriately modified.
4
SUBMIT WHERE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED
The Administration determines which changes to the approved SSP require prior approval.
5
APPROVAL → IMPLEMENTATION
Where prior approval is required, the amendment must be approved before incorporation and implementation.
IMPORTANT RSO RULE
An RSO reviewing or approving an SSP or amendment must not have been involved in preparing the item under review.
This separation protects the independence of the approval process.
Slide 5 · 4 | KNOW THESE
4 | KNOW THESE
5 POINTS
HIGH VALUE POINTS FOR YOUR ORAL ANSWER
01
SSA FIRST
Risk assessment comes first.
The SSA identifies possible threats, their likelihood
of occurrence and the ship's vulnerabilities,
including human factors, so appropriate security
measures can be established and prioritised.
02
SSP TURNS ASSESSMENT INTO ACTION
The SSP converts the assessment into practical
measures and procedures.
It must address the applicable security requirements
and all three security levels.
03
APPROVAL MATTERS
The Administration determines which changes to
the approved SSP require prior approval.
An authorised RSO may perform the review and
approval function where delegated.
04
RSO INDEPENDENCE IS MANDATORY
An RSO reviewing or approving an SSP or
amendment must not have been involved in
preparing the item under review.
This separation keeps the approval process
independent and impartial.
05
TEMPORARY SECURITY MEASURES
If security equipment/systems fail or a security
measure is suspended, ISPS Code Part B/9.6
provides that equivalent temporary security
measures should be adopted, notified to and
agreed by the Administration.
Remember: Part B is guidance, not mandatory Part A.
REMEMBER
SSA tells us the risk. SSP tells us the response.
Amendments keep the SSP relevant and effective.
ISPS CODE | PART A
Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.
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