Circular Letter
MSC/Circ.1072

GUIDANCE ON PROVISION OF SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEMS

(adopted on 5 June 2003)

1. The Sub-Committee on Radiocommunications and Search and Rescue (COMSAR), at its seventh session (13 to 17 January 2003), taking into account the urgency and importance of implementing SOLAS regulation XI-2/6 on Ship Security Alert Systems adopted by the Conference of Contracting Governments to the SOLAS Convention, 1974 (7 - 13 December 2002) to be used in the enhancement of Maritime Security, prepared the guidance on provision of ship security alert systems.

2. The MSC, at its seventy-seventh session (28 May to 6 June 2003), adopted the proposed guidance regarding Ship Security Alert Systems, as set out at Annex.

3. Member Governments are requested to bring the annexed guidance to the attention of Maritime Administrations, shipmasters, port authorities, shipping companies, system manufacturers and designers.

ANNEX.

GUIDANCE ON PROVISION OF THE SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM

1. Regulation 6 of SOLAS chapter XI-2 requires ships to be provided with a ship security alert system. Performance standards for a ship security alert system are given in resolutions MSC.136(76) and MSC.147(77). This Circular gives guidance on the design of ship security alert systems provided to comply with the SOLAS regulation.

2. The intent of the ship security alert system is to send a covert signal or message from a ship which will not be obvious to anyone on the ship who is not aware of the alert mechanism. It is of use therefore in circumstances where a ship wishes to inform a person ashore of a problem with a minimum number of the persons onboard aware of the action. The procedures for the security alert are agreed with the ship's Administration and ideally should be individual to the ship. It is not intended that the ship security alert procedures should be to an internationally agreed standard or