Recognising suspicious activity and reporting it
1The lesson in plain words
Every crew member is part of the ship's security. Notice what is out of place, report it at once, and leave the tackling to others.
Your role
Every seafarer is part of the ship's security, whatever their job. Security depends on many eyes noticing small things: a door that should be locked, a stranger in an alleyway, a box nobody owns. You are not expected to fight or arrest anyone. Your job is to stay alert, report what you see and follow the SSO's instructions.
Suspicious behaviour
Be alert to people who are where they should not be, have no pass or a reason that does not fit, ask unusual questions about the ship's security, take photos of access points or security equipment, watch the ship for a long time, or try to avoid the gangway watch. Also watch for small boats hanging around the ship, especially at night or at anchor.
Suspicious items
Look out for unattended bags or packages, items in odd places, signs of tampering with locks, seals or containers, wires or devices that do not belong, and unusual smells or liquids. Do not touch, move or open a suspicious item. Keep people away; do not use a radio or phone near the item; report from a safe location using the ship's approved method.
How to report
Report at once to the officer of the watch or the SSO, by the quickest means the ship's plan allows. Say what you saw, where, when, how many people and what they look like. Do not challenge or follow a person who may be armed. Keep security information to yourself: do not talk about it ashore or post it on social media.
Shore leave
Security measures should allow for seafarers' shore leave and access to welfare services; carry the required identity documents and follow port access rules.
2Step by step
If you find a suspicious item
- 1
Do not touch, move or open it.
It may be a device that reacts to movement.
- 2
Move to a safe distance and keep other people back. Do not use a radio or phone near the item.
Distance protects you; some devices can be set off by radio signals.
- 3
From a safe location, report its exact position and description to the officer of the watch or SSO using the ship's approved reporting method.
The SSO starts the plan and calls the right authorities.
- 4
Stay clear and follow the SSO's instructions.
The SSO coordinates the response and tells you what to do next.
3Key data
- Report to
- Officer of the watch or the ship security officer
- Suspicious item
- Do not touch, move or open; keep people away
- Your role
- Observe and report; do not tackle
4Key points
- 1
Every seafarer is part of the ship's security: stay alert and report.
- 2
Watch for people out of place, odd questions, photos of security points, loitering boats.
- 3
Never touch, move or open a suspicious item; keep people away.
- 4
Report what, where, when, how many and descriptions to the OOW or SSO.
- 5
Keep security information private, ashore and online.
5Frequent mistakes
Wrong: If you see an intruder, you should catch him yourself.
Right: Do not tackle or follow; he may be armed. Report at once and let the SSO organise the response.
Wrong: Moving a strange bag out of the alleyway makes the area safer.
Right: Never move a suspicious item. Keep people away and report its position.
6Practice case & exam keys
At anchor at night you see a small boat with its lights off drifting close to the stern. A few minutes later you hear a metallic knock near the aft mooring station.
Show the answer
Raise the alarm at once: call the officer of the watch on the radio and give the position (stern, near the aft mooring station) and what you saw and heard. Do not go to look alone. Move to a safe place, keep watching if you can do so safely, and follow the bridge's instructions. The SSO and master will decide on lighting, alarms and a crew muster.
Exam keys
- Every seafarer contributes to security through awareness and reporting.
- Suspicious signs: people out of place, odd questions, photos of security points, loitering boats, unattended items, tampering.
- Never touch a suspicious item; keep people away; report it.
- Report to the OOW or SSO; never tackle; keep security information confidential.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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