Entry & progression
Certificate: STCW Designated Security Duties (A-VI/6-2) — for seafarers assigned specific security duties under the Ship Security Plan, building on basic Security Awareness. Entry: Security Awareness (A-VI/6-1). Those with assigned security duties require this proficiency.
The plan and the duties
Every ship under the ISPS Code has a Ship Security Plan — a confidential document setting out the security measures for each security level, the duties of the crew, the access-control and search arrangements, and the response to security incidents. It is led by the Ship Security Officer, and seafarers with designated duties carry out specific parts of it: manning the gangway, controlling access, conducting searches, monitoring restricted areas, and operating the security equipment. Knowing the plan, the current security level and one's own duties is the foundation of the role, and the plan's confidentiality is itself a security measure.
- The Ship Security Plan sets the measures for each security level, the duties, and the incident response.
- The Ship Security Officer leads the ship's security; designated crew carry out specific duties.
- Designated duties include gangway watch, access control, searches, monitoring and operating security equipment.
- Know the plan, the current security level and your own duties — and keep the plan confidential.
NOTE — The plan is confidential for a reason The Ship Security Plan details the ship's security measures and their weaknesses, so it is confidential — its details are not shared with unauthorised people. Protecting the plan is itself a security duty.
TIP — Know your duties for each level Your security duties change as the security level rises. Know what your part is at levels 1, 2 and 3 so that when the level is raised you step up to the additional measures without hesitation.