There have been reports that recent legislation from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on ship security alert systems (SSAS) is not clearly understood by some sectors of the maritime market. The following information provides SSAS-specific detail from Inmarsat’s perspective and seeks to address the current misunderstanding.
Use of both GMDSS and non-GMDSS equipment
IMO adopted changes to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention at the SOLAS Conference in December 2002, as part of agreeing the new International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Within these changes, a Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) was specified in Regulation 6.
These meetings led to the requirement for IMO to also produce guidance on the implementation of Regulation 6. This resulted in IMO MSC Circular 1072. IMO also recognised that Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) would need instructions on the handling of covert alerts from SSAS equipment. This resulted in IMO MSC Circular 1073. Both circulars should be read in conjunction with each other. Please see the links below.
Following the meeting by IMO MSC 78, 12-21 May 2004, it is now clear that SSAS alerts should be sent, at routine priority, directly from the ship to its Administration, or other proper recipient as designated by the Administration. Administrations may choose to have these routine priority SSAS alerts from their flag ships addressed to (M)RCCs in their own region or to other destinations such as ship owners or managers.
Inmarsat can confirm the full availability of messaging Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) solutions across its Inmarsat C, mini-C and D+ services. Existing GMDSS versions of Inmarsat C require an update, which is available from the manufacturers or their agents.
All of these systems meet the requirements of the IMO, as specified in Regulation 6 of SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and subsequently clarified by the COMSAR 8 sub-committee at a meeting on 16th-20th February 2004.
All SSAS solutions available on the Inmarsat network provide flexibility in the routing of SSAS alerts. Alerts can be sent to any destination selected by the flag administration; whether it is a rescue co-ordination centre, national security organisation, ship owner or other third-party organisation. SSAS alerts can be delivered to telex, fax, email, GSM phone, or even to other Inmarsat terminals.
The International Maritime Organisation has issued 2 Maritime Safety Committee Circulars concerning the Ships security alert system. They are as follows, and may be viewed by clicking on the appropriate hyperlink.
Guidance on provision of Ships security alert system MSC/Circ.1072
Measures to enhance maritime security directives for maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) on acts of violence against ships MSC/Circ.1073