Drills, exercises, inspections and control of ships
1The lesson in plain words
The SSO plans drills and exercises, inspects the ship and keeps it ready for flag verification and port state control.
Drills and exercises
ISPS B/13.6–13.7 set drill and exercise intervals. These provisions are mandatory in the EU; elsewhere, follow your flag's requirements. Hold security drills at least every 3 months. If more than 25 % of the crew change at once to people not drilled aboard in the last 3 months, drill within one week. Exercises are larger tests, sometimes involving the CSO, PFSO and authorities. Hold them each calendar year, no more than 18 months apart.
Planning drills as SSO
Vary the scenario: a stowaway search, a bomb threat, an unauthorised boarding at anchor, a suspicious package, a cyber incident affecting access control. Test one part of the plan each time, not the same gangway check every quarter. Debrief, record and feed lessons back into training or the plan. The crew's hands-on skills are in Designated security duties.
Security inspections
The SSO carries out regular security inspections at intervals set in the SSP. Check access points, locks and seals on restricted areas, lighting, alarms and CCTV, the visitor log, the SSAS test record and whether watches follow the plan. Record deficiencies, report them to the CSO, arrange corrective action and follow up.
Verification and the ISSC
The flag or RSO verifies the ship and issues the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC). Verifications are initial, at least one intermediate between the second and third anniversary dates, and renewal; the certificate is valid for up to 5 years. A new ship or new company may get an interim ISSC valid for 6 months.
Control measures
Under SOLAS XI-2/9, port states check that a ship in port has a valid ISSC. Clear grounds of non-compliance can lead to proportionate inspection, delay, detention or restrictions on operations. Expulsion or denial of entry requires clear grounds that the ship poses an immediate security or safety threat, with no other appropriate way to remove it. Before arrival, port states may request security information. General port state control procedures are in Ship business.
2Key data
- Security drills
- At least every 3 months (ISPS B/13.6)
- Crew change rule
- >25 % new and not drilled here in 3 months: drill within 1 week
- Exercises
- Once each calendar year, ≤18 months apart (ISPS B/13.7)
- ISSC
- Up to 5 years; intermediate between 2nd and 3rd anniversary
- Interim ISSC
- 6 months
- Control measures
- Inspect, delay, detain, restrict; expel only under strict conditions
3Key points
- 1
Drills at least every 3 months; if more than 25 % are replaced by crew not drilled aboard in 3 months, drill within one week.
- 2
Exercises once each calendar year, no more than 18 months apart.
- 3
SSO inspections follow the intervals in the SSP.
- 4
ISSC up to 5 years, with an intermediate verification.
- 5
Port states may inspect or detain; expulsion or denied entry needs an immediate threat with no other appropriate remedy.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: An exercise can replace the quarterly drills.
Right: Drills and exercises are separate. Keep the 3-monthly drills as well as the yearly exercise.
Wrong: The ISSC needs an annual verification.
Right: The ISSC has an intermediate verification between the second and third anniversary dates, plus renewal.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your ship changes 7 of her 22 crew in Rotterdam. Two of the joiners took part in a security drill on board 6 weeks ago; the other five have never sailed on her. The last drill was 6 weeks ago. What do you plan?
Show the answer
Only the five who have not drilled on board in the last 3 months count: 5 of 22 is about 23 %, below the 25 % trigger, so the one-week rule does not apply. Hold the next drill within the 3-month cycle, but do it soon: give the newcomers a security familiarisation now and use a drill early that tests access control. Record the familiarisation and the drill.
Exam keys
- Drills every 3 months; >25 % new crew not drilled on board in 3 months: drill within one week.
- Exercises once each calendar year, ≤18 months apart.
- ISSC: initial, intermediate, renewal; up to 5 years; interim 6 months.
- Port states may inspect or detain; expulsion or denied entry needs an immediate threat with no other appropriate remedy.
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