SECURITY EQUIPMENT

Ship security communications

• SSAS
• Use of the ship security alert system is a recognition that security is political and
requires different response to a distress or emergency onboard,
• The Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), under the ISPS Code, is a system onboard
designed to raise the alarm ashore in case of a security threat or security
incident, so that help from security forces can be deployed to the scene.
• Technically, the SSAS consists of a GPS receiver linked to a transmitter, a power
supply, software and activation buttons.
• When used, the activation button basically notifies the flag State of the ship
without alerting ships or coastal states in the vicinity or giving any indication
onboard.
 Ship security communications
• As per the regulation, minimum two security alert buttons
must be provided on the ship, one being located on the
bridge and the second one should be located in any other
prominent position (for e.g. Accommodation). The location
of the switch must be known to all the ship's crew.
• Initiate and transmit a ship to shore security alert to a
competent authority designated by the administration
(including company), identifying the ship, its location and
indicating that the security of the ship is under threat or it
has been compromised
 Where is this alert sent to?

• What makes the SSAS unique is the fact that it constitutes a silent ship
security alarm system that does not issue any audio-visual signal on
the ship or to nearby vessels, not even to security forces nearby.
• In contrast, upon activated, the alert is sent directly to the ship owner
or an SSAS management company. It is then directed to the ship’s flag
state. Some flag administrations even require having direct notification
upon activation.
• As soon as the flag state is informed, it is obliged to immediately notify
the state(s) and the international security centers in the vicinity of the
ship’s location.
• Then, local state authorities or already deployed antipiracy/antiterrorist
forces will be able to provide appropriate military or law-enforcement
forces to deal with the menace.
 SHIP SECURITY ALERT
• Alert, when activated, shall:
– Not send the alert to any other ship
– Not raise any alarm on board the ship
– Continue the alert until deactivated and/or reset
– Be capable of being activated from the Bridge and
in at least one other location
– Conform to performance standards of IMO
 SHIP SECURITY ALERT
• System activation points shall be designed so
as to prevent inadvertent initiation
• Requirement may be combined with radio
installation fitted as per chapter IV of Solas
What information does the SSAS provide?

• Upon activated, the Ship Security Alert System

sends the following details to the administration:
• Name and IMO number of the ship
• The Call Sign of the ship
• The ship’s position through Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS)
• Date and time of the alert
• Maritime Mobile Service Identity.
 AIS
• Gives out presence of ship
• Switching off will deny or delay help from Naval Forces
• Because of this concern, IMO assembly adopted a
resolution A.956(23) which allows ship masters to
switch off AIS in specific areas where threat of attack by
pirates or armed robbery are imminent
• BMP 4 recommends that AIS be left on in HRA but
information be restricted to Identity, position, course,
speed and safety information
• AIS policy remains at the discretion of Master
 AIS
• While switching off AIS master should:-
– Bear in mind the possibility that attackers are monitoring ship to
shore communication
– Be aware that switching off AIS in HRA reduces the ability of
supporting naval units to track and trace the vessel which may
require assistance
– Exercise caution when transmitting information on cargo or
valuables on board by radio in areas where attacks occur
– Balance the risk of attack against the need to maintain safety of
navigation
– Ensure that it is turned on again to enable security forces to
locate the ship
 LONG RANGE IDENTIFICATION AND
TRACKING SYSTEM
• Mandatory requirement of providing position,
and date and time of position to data centre.
• In exceptional circumstances and for shortest
possible duration, can be switched off if its
operation is considered by master to
compromise safety or security of ship
• Such instances must be informed to
administration without delay and a record kept
COMMONLY USED SECURITY EQUIPMENT

• Identified while carrying out SSA

• Access control
• Screening
• Monitoring security
• Blast containment
 SECURITY EQUIPMENT

DG SHIPPING MS NOTICE 19 OF 2011

 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MS NOTICE 19
OF 2011
Vessel of 500 GT or above on Intl
Security Equipment Vessel ≤ 500 GT on int’l Voyage
Voyage
General Alarm 1 no. 1 no.

High Beam Torch 2 no. 2 no.

Batons 2 no. 2 no.

Photo ID for Crew All Crew All Crew

Flood Light (Fixed or Portable) 4 nos. 4 nos.

Walkie Talkies 4 nos. 4 nos.

Whistles 4 nos. 4 nos.

Dog Leg Mirror 2 nos. 4 nos.

Hand Held Metal Detector 2 nos. 2 nos.

Cable ties Adequate 2 nos.

Different code colour passes for
Adequate Adequate
visitors
Night Vision Binoculars 1 no. 1 no.
 METAL DETECTORS
• Used for detection of weapons like guns,
ammunition, Grenades knives and like objects
which may be concealed.
 METAL DETECTORS
• works on the principle of changing electro
magnetic field caused due to presence of
conductor.
METAL DETECTOR
 METAL DETECTORS - LIMITATIONS
• Will not pick up explosives, plastic weapons or
inflammable liquids carried in glass or plastic
containers
• Little use for screening baggage and personnel
belongings
• Presence of other metal items in the vicinity may give
false alarm
• different metals (with varying conductivity) will sound
alarm at different distances from metal detector
 METAL DETECTORS LIMITATIONS
• Periodic testing (weekly) should be done
• Should be kept charged
DOG LEG MIRROR
 DOG LEG MIRROR
• To detect suspicious object hidden under
crevices and other inaccessible places
• Has extensible telescopic rod
• If equipped with camera, can record the image
 DOG LEG MIRROR LIMITATIONS
• Limited view
• Crew needs to practice searches using dog leg
mirrors
• Care needed while searching as the leg may
activate a booby trap
NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
 NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
WORKING
• Light coming into the device from the direction of object is
gathered by the objective lens and focused onto Image
Intensifier Tube
• Front of IIT contains photocathode which converts light
into electrons
• The device contains a very high voltage supply which
converts 3 V battery supply to 17 Kv.
• High voltage hurls electrons into phosphorous screens. This
screen illuminates with an image when struck by electrons.
The eye piece optic then focuses the screen image to your
eyes
 NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
HOW TO FOCUS
• LIGHTED ENVIRONMENT
– Install battery
– DO NOT REMOVE CAPS. The pinhole in the caps
permits sufficient light needed to focus.
– Rotate Eye Piece eye piece clockwise until stop.
– Press Power button
– Look through eye piece and rotate until object
(across the room) comes into focus.
 NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
HOW TO FOCUS
• DARK ENVIRONMENT
– REMOVE CAPS.
– Do not rotate Eye Piece eye.
– Press infra red button.
– A beam of IR light, invisible to human and animal
eye, provides extra illumination
NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS PERFORMANCE

• Complete darkness. Can not be used without IR

illuminator.
• Half moon. Half moon provides substantial light
to amplified by IIT. Can be used without IR
illuminator
• Star light (no moon). Star light provides
minimum light needed for working without IR.
But use of IR enhances performance
• Range with IR is 75 to 125 yards
 NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
IMAGE QUALITY
• Image electronically amplified and thus not as
clear as day time binocular image
• Light and dark marks caused by tube can be
seen in the field of view
• Image sharpness degrades from centre to
periphery
• Green in color
 NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS
CARE TAKING
• If storing for over 24 hours, remove batteries
• Keep it in cool, dry place
• Clean lens with the way you clean camera
• Protect glass from scratches, do not touch the objective or eye
piece with fingers
• Do not drop or expose to shock
• Do not dissemble. The power supply inside is 17 KV.
• Clean exterior with soft, clean cloth.
• If condensation is visible on the unit, return it to normal
temperature and wait until condensation disappears before
using it
 WHISTLE
• Range of whistle sound is more than that of a
shout
• Less effort needed
• Used to attract attention
• Can be used to give sound signal
 FLOOD LIGHTS / SEARCH LIGHTS
• To be properly arranged so as to be able to
cover maximum area
HAND HELD SEARCH LIGHT
 HAND HELD SEARCH LIGHT
• Portable
• To illuminate desired area quickly
• To call attention
• Can be used as light signals
 HAND HELD SEARCH LIGHT
• Needs charging
• Crew needs to practice if used for giving light
signal
 PAD LOCKS AND CABLE TIES
• Quick method of securing an opening
• Provided limited security
 BATONS
• Used to call attention
• Can be used to move / inspect a suspected
find without touching it
• Made of insulated material, no fear of electric
shock etc
 IDENTITY CARDS
• For on board crew
• For visitors (different color)
 WALKI-TALKIES
• Calling attention
• Reporting by various search teams
• Crew needs to practice
• Needs to be kept charged
 AID
• Rely on combination of contact and motion
sensors
• Sounds alarm on detection of intruder which
can startle the intruder
 CCTV
• Help remote monitoring
• Images can be recorded and beamed directly
to shore authority
• Require adequate lighting for picking up image
• Strong light may hamper functioning
• Proper Positioning is must
 TESTING AND CALIBRATION
• All security equipments need to be tested
periodically and maintained as per the
manufacturer guidelines
• Some of these may need periodic calibration
• Records of testing needed for inspection
• Every person to know how to use them
• SSO’s duty to ensure testing and caliberation
 LIMITATIONS
• Most of the equipment are manufactured for
general environment
• Need for documented training
• May differ from ship to ship
• Need correct setting up
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
ANTI PIRACY WEAPONS
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Pulse Radar
• Doppler radars for detecting moving targets
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Well constructed dummies placed at strategic
locations
DUMMIES
DUMMIES
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Enhanced bridge protection
– Kevlar jackets & helmet protection for bridge team
– Blast resistance film on the bridge glass
– Fabricated metal(steel or aluminum) plates for the
side & rear bridge wings, which could be rapidly
rigged
– Wall of sand bags on after part of bridge wings
– Double layer of chain link fence
– Anti RPG screens
ENHANCED BRIDGE PROTECTION

Enhanced Bridge Protection

SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Razor wire (unclipped, spiral, concertina)
• Wires in deployable canisters
RAZOR WIRES
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY

• Electrification of fence
ELECTRIFICATION OF FENCE
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Water spray and foam monitors
• Puts crew in harm’s way
• Remotely operated water hose unit
• Can hit a moving target up to 90 meters
• Rotating water canons
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Propeller arrestors
• PPR lines deployed on 10 meter booms either
side, from bow to stern
• Deployed through out the passage in HRA
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Pepper spray
• 300 gallon pressurized tank connected to
piping installed around the vessel
• Creates 30 meter defensive zone
SECURITY EQUIPMENT AGAINST PIRACY AND
ARMED ROBBERY
• Air cannon
• Uses compressed air to fire projectiles
• Can fire golf balls up to 500 meter at speed of
450 miles per hour
LONG RANGE ACOUSTIC DEVICE
DAZZLE GUN
ROBO BOAT
NON LETHAL SLIPPERY FOAM
 CITADEL
• Taking crew hostage is main aim to gain
control of ship
• If boarding seems imminent, crew to muster
in citadel till rescue operation by Naval Forces
 Citadel Location
• Imperceptible location to avoid detection by
pirates
• Crew to be well versed with location and route
to citadel
• Purpose built exclusive compartment or
existing compartment
 Citadel construction
• Water tight doors, frames and surrounding
bulkheads to be of steel
• Resistant to repeated hits of bullets, sledge
hammer, grenades, cutting charges
• Internal cross bars for more rigidity and additional
security
• Sealed off to prevent CO2 release inside
• Can not be flooded with water from outside
• No grenade can be thrown inside
 Equipment and supplies in citadel
• VHF, Satellite phone
• Few bunks and chairs
• AIS, GPS
• Local controls for engine and power
• CCTV displays
• Emergency power supply only for the equipment
and lighting of citadel
• Provision for forced and natural ventilation
• Food and fresh water for three days, toilet facilties
Action after crew muster in citadel
• Engines
• Black out
• Communication
• Pirate warning system
• Create masked noise from different locations
to confuse pirates