Circular Letter
MSC.1/Circ.1190
GUIDANCE ON THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING SHIPS WHEN
TRANSMITTING SHIP SECURITY ALERTS
(30 May 2006)
1.
The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee), at its eighty-first session (10
to 19 May 2006), noted reports that in a number of cases, when the competent
authorities designated by Administrations received ship security alerts (SSAs),
the information provided to them for identifying the ships* transmitting the
alert were not adequate and they could not easily identify the ships concerned.
2.
The Committee recognized that, if ship security alert systems were to function
in an effective and efficient manner so as to provide the security-related
benefits for which they were envisioned, there was a need to ensure a
harmonized and consistent implementation of the provisions of SOLAS regulation
XI-2/6 on Ship security alert systems and of the associated performance
standards**. As a result the Committee approved the Guidance on the provision
of information for identifying ships when transmitting ship security alerts
(the Guidance) set out at annex.
________________
* The term "ship"
in this circular refers to the ships which are subject to the provisions of
SOLAS chapter XI-2 and of the ISPS Code.
** Resolution MSC.136(76) on
Performance standards for a ship security alert system and resolution
MSC.147(77) on Adoption of the Revised performance standards for a ship
security alert system.
3.
SOLAS Contracting Governments are invited to bring the Guidance to the
attention of owners and of Companies operating ships entitled to fly their
flag, of those they have recognized, authorized or approved to provider
services in relation to SSAs and of the recognized organizations and the
recognized security organizations they have authorized to act on their behalf.
4.
SOLAS Contracting Governments, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations with consultative status which encounter difficulties with the
implementation of the Guidance should bring, at the earliest opportunity, the
matter to the attention of the Committee for consideration of actions to be
taken.
Annex.
GUIDANCE ON THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION FOR IDENTIFYING SHIPS WHEN
TRANSMITTING SHIP SECURITY ALERTS
1.
SOLAS regulation XI-2/6 and the associated performance standards* specify that
the ship security alert system, when activated, shall, inter alia, initiate and
transmit a ship-to-shore security alert (SSA) to a competent authority
designated by the Administration (the designated recipient) identifying the
ship, its location, the date and time of the position and indicating that the
security of the ship is under threat or it has been compromised.
______________
* Resolution MSC.136(76) on
Performance standards for a ship security alert system and Resolution
MSC.147(77) on Adoption of the Revised performance standards for a ship
security alert system.
2.
Administrations have accepted, recognized or approved a variety of equipment
and systems to perform the function of the ship security alert system (SSAS)
some of which include communication (CSP) and application (ASP) service
providers. However, in some cases when the SSA is received by the designated
recipient, it does not clearly identify the ship which transmitted the alert.
Information to be
provided to the competent authorities
3.
When the SSA is delivered to the designated recipient the SSA should include
the following information:
.1 Name of ship;
.2 IMO Ship
identification number;
.3 Call Sign;
.4 Maritime
Mobile Service Identity;
.5 GNSS position
(latitude and longitude) of the ship; and
.6 Date and time
of the GNSS position.
4.
Depending on the equipment, system and arrangements used, the name, the IMO
Ship identification number, the Call Sign and the Maritime Mobile Service
Identity of the ship may be added to the signal or message transmitted by the
shipborne equipment, by the