Marine Log - June 2008 - (Page 74)

B Y PA U L S I N G E R he serious procedural shortcomings the report’s analysis on the usefulness alluded to in a report by former (or not) of SSAS is interesting, and quite BIMCO head of security Thomas correct in many places, perhaps emphaTimlen have started to make some in the sis should be placed on Timlen’s conclumaritime sector question the overall sions that “fault” lies not necessarily value of SOLAS-mandated Ship Security with SSAS but the way it is managed at Alert System (SSAS) technology. present, and that there are certainly Timlens’ study concluded that, among solutions out there which would make other worrying issues, SSAS does not SSAS far more effective. alert anyone in the near vicinity of an SSAS is not the panacea for all securiimminent attack (nor anyone onboard) ty-related issues onboard ships. It was and that the alert information is instead not designed to warn those onboard of forwarded to the ship’s owner/manager attacks. However, if utilized to its full (CSO), who is likely to be potential, SSAS could be a long distance from the an additional deterrent to vessel itself. Once the those who pose a threat. alert has been verified Securewest Internathe flag state concerned tional monitors over 16 then has to be alerted, million tons of shipping. and then contact details In the process, we have plus any requests for frequently found vessels assistance have to be that still do not operate sought in liaison with the SSAS to a satisfactory nearest relevant coastal level or even understand authority. its exact purpose. Indeed, The study then surmistaking this debate out es that any attack would wider, we also find many have taken place by the vessels that do not time this procedure has employ enough additionbeen acted out. Under- Paul Singer, a former vice pres- al, often simple defensive standably the findings of ident at Secuewest Internameasures to guard the report are giving tional, is now the business against attack in the first cause for concern among development manager at code- place. ship owners but, while Creation Ltd. The reality of the post SSAS: REALIZING ITS FULL POTENTIAL T 9/11 terrorist threat is that it is unpredictable and unknown, and therefore as part of the ability for counterterrorism agencies to know that, as in the case of SSAS, a ship’s security has been breached and is potentially under control of hostile forces, provides them with valuable intelligence and data that might even form part of a bigger picture or asymmetric threat. Attacks continue to dog the sector but who can say exactly how many attacks may have been suppressed by the introduction of new regulations in the first place? Equally, SSAS certainly has room for improvement but, as with many maritime security regulations, compliance is the key here—something that Timlen’s report points out. When regulations are passed, there is a tendency in the industry to drag one’s feet until the deadline looms and then comply to the bare minimum levels laid down by the IMO. SSAS is no exception, but simply meeting compliance guidelines is not enough – the aim should be to exceed them. In this respect training and consultation are a must. 74 MARINE LOG JUNE 2008 YEARBOOK www.marinelog.com http://www.ebdg.com http://www.ebdg.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - June 2008

Marine Log - June 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Innovation Needed to Meet Crew Shortage Optimism Abounds Despite Slowing Economy Can Shipping's Shopaholics Keep Up the Buying Binge? Can Congress Keep Navy Shipbuilding Off the Rocks? Fitting the Ultra-deepwater Pieces Together Generation Next Higher Demand, Higher Prices Demand Up For Large Combination Vessels The Dirty Truth About Emissions SSAS: Realizing Its Potential Fuel Saving Technology Newsmakers Tech News Contracts Events Buyer's Guide Website Directory ML Marketplace Tech Talk

Marine Log - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.