/ Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Operations Advice Note / Document
Number:
OAN 385
Revision: 3 / INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT FACILITY SECURITY CODE – SECURITY LEVELS FOR UK SHIPS AND PORTS / Page1 of 5
Date: 5 May 05 / Distribution A, B, C, D
  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code became effective on 1st July 2004 and requires Governments to set one of three security levels for ships flying their flag and for port facilities in their countries (see Annex A for explanation).
  3. The Department for Transport’s Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) is responsible for informing shipping companies and ports of changes to security levels. TRANSEC communicated the creation of the new Suez Canal area to industry on 27 April with Security Level 1 set. This has been revised and UK ships in the Suez Canal zone are to set Security Level 2; the revised list of security levels communicated on 4/5/05 is at Annex B.
  4. OPERATING MEASURES

2.1The current security level set for all UK ports and ships in UK ports is SECURITY LEVEL 1. This informationmay be given to ships on request. Ships declaring their intention to enter a UK port should be advised to adopt this security level unless their Administration requires a higher security level to be set.

2.2UK registered ships requesting information on the security levels they are required to maintain in foreign ports may be given the information detailed in Annex B for the countries they are intending to enter. To maintain the confidentiality of this information voice radio is not to be used.

2.4If Security Level 3 is set, MCA will co-operate with any official requests for information distribution received.

  1. TRAINING
  2. The contents of this OAN should be discussed with Watch Managers and their deputies at the earliest opportunity, so as to ensure that all Operations staff are aware of the procedure to follow.
  3. Questions and concerns on maritime security issues should be addressed to the Maritime Security Branch (telephone: 023 8032 9320, fax: 023 8032 9488, email:

4.CANCELLATION OF THIS OAN

4.1This OAN will be cancelled when superseded by security levels change which will be communicated by a further version of OAN 385.

Author:Phil White / Authorised:Alan Fairney / Branch: Maritime Security

Annex A

SECURITY LEVELS

1.The following is an abstract from the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.

2.The security level means the qualification of the degree of risk that that a security incident will be attempted or will occur. Higher security levels indicate greater likelihood of a security incident. Factors to be considered in setting the appropriate security level include:

.1the degree that the threat information is credible;

.2the degree that the threat information is corroborated;

.3the degree that the threat information is specific or imminent; and

.4the potential consequences of such a security incident.

  1. Security Level 1 means the level for which minimum appropriate protective security measures shall be maintained at all times.
  2. Security Level 2 means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident.
  3. Security Level 3 means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a security incident is probable or imminent, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target.
  4. When Security Level 3 is set it will be necessary for Government to issue appropriate instructions as necessary and provide security related information to ships and ports.

Annex B

Transport Security Directorate

Helpdesk: 0207 944 2844 (office hours)

Duty Officer0207 944 5999 (out of hours)

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code Security Level Notification

4 May 2005

This security level notification contains details of the ISPS security levels that the UK Government requires ships registered in the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and OverseasTerritories to maintain. It revises the notification circulated on 25 January 2005.

SECURITY LEVEL 3

NONE

SECURITY LEVEL 2 – COUNTRIES.

ALGERIA, BAHRAIN, DJIBOUTI, EAST TIMOR, INDONESIA, IRAQ, ISRAEL & OCCUPIED TERRITORIES, JORDAN, KENYA, KUWAIT, LEBANON, MOROCCO, OMAN, PAKISTIAN, PHILIPINES, QATAR, SAUDI ARABIA, SINGAPORE, SOMALIA, SUDAN, SYRIA, TURKEY, TANZANIA, THAILAND, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN

SECURITY LEVEL 2 - SEA AREAS

ARABIAN SEA, BAB EL MANDEB GULFOF ADEN, GULF OF OMAN, PERSIAN GULF, PHILIPINES, RED SEA, STRAIT OF HORMUZ, STRAIT OF MALACCASUEZ CANAL ZONE

SECURITY LEVEL 1

ALL COUNTRIES NOT LISTED ABOVE

The specific threat to any particular vessel could be affected by the composition of its passenger and / or crew. Cruise ships and ‘prestige flag carriers' are likely to be more attractive targets than general cargo or 'flag' ofconvenience' vessels. Further information regarding this notice can be obtained by using the usual contact telephone numbers. All changes are indicated in BOLD text.

Paul Levey

TRANSPORT SECURITY POLICY BRANCH

4 May 2005

IMPORTANT NOTE:

ISPS Code security Levels are set after an assessment of the current state of threat to UK maritime interests overseas. As such, the information should be regarded as sensitive and only divulged on a need to know basis to authorized personnel, for example PFSOs, Port State Control, Customs and Police Officers. It should not be distributed to non-authorised persons without reference to the Department.

This information does not necessarily agree with the host nation’s perception of the terrorist threat of their interests. Any circumstances where UK flagged ships are requested by PortState to reduce prescribed security levels is to be reported to the CSO immediately.