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By Jørgen Rasch, Vice President, Deputy Head of Syndicate 2,<br />
<strong>Skuld</strong> Copenhagen<br />
THE ISPS CODE:<br />
Are you ready?<br />
The entry into force of the ISPS code is just around the corner. If you are not ready by 1 July, you<br />
are likely to see your vessels lying idle in one of the most prosperous markets in living memory.<br />
Do not let this happen!<br />
We are still guessing what effect these<br />
new regulations will have on our<br />
members. As ample time has been<br />
allowed by the IMO to get geared up for<br />
these new regulations, we do not foresee<br />
any possibility that enforcement of<br />
vessels is postponed, although it is<br />
possible that some countries will not<br />
have certified ports by the deadline.<br />
You may recall that we formed a task<br />
force to answer expected inquiries. One<br />
person within each of the syndicates was<br />
chosen to deal with day-to-day matters<br />
and, at each of the Copenhagen and Oslo<br />
offices, an ISPS officer was appointed to<br />
co-ordinate the response and to offer<br />
educational workshops to local members.<br />
In addition, one officer was appointed to<br />
deal with ISPS issues at management<br />
and inter-club levels.<br />
It fell upon me to have the overall<br />
responsibility for this organisation and<br />
the training of ISPS officers. This, in turn,<br />
led to membership of the subcommittee<br />
formed by BIMCO to draft their ISPS<br />
clauses.<br />
Recommendations to owners<br />
We recommend all owners to include the<br />
BIMCO clauses in their contracts. Owners<br />
with vessels of less than 300 GT should<br />
check with the flag state whether the<br />
ISPS code, or any part of it, applies to<br />
their vessels. Such owners may consider<br />
developing a vessel security system<br />
using the Code as a guideline.<br />
The main elements of the Code that may<br />
be of use are:<br />
• Appointment of a Company Security<br />
Officer – a superintendent would be<br />
ideal<br />
• Development of a Ship Security Plan<br />
that sets out guidance for:<br />
1. Access to the ship<br />
2. Restricted areas on the ship<br />
3. Handling of cargo, stores and<br />
visitors<br />
• Appointment of a Ship Security Officer<br />
– for example a Senior Deck Officer<br />
• Maintenance of a security log –<br />
recording the ports of call, security<br />
drills and other security matters<br />
Increased monitoring and control is one result of the 2002 US Trade Act<br />
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S.Coast Guard<br />
22 BEACON
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