Formulated in the wake of 9/11, the ISPS Code came into force on 1 July 2004 as part of a global attempt to reduce perceived threats to the maritime industry from terrorist organisations.

Many vessel owners, such as US flagged carriers, are discovering that they are required to conduct an audit of their ship security plan within the first 12 months of issue.

Securewest International's regulatory compliance manager Brinley Billings urged caution for those concerned. 'Many shipping companies fail to realise that audits are a mandatory stipulation of their contracting government and before long there will be a plethora of internal, independent or contracting audit requests being issued by companies which could potentially logjam the whole system of risk evaluation, causing delay and financial damage.

Vessel audits present their own coordination challenges and being in a position to offer minimum disruption is key.'

Time is a premium resource for owners who are faced with the reality of busy shipping schedules that may not currently include the provision of audit visits. Training is a key element to the whole process and there is an opportunity for qualified maritime security assessors and trainers to conduct either new or refresher crew training simultaneously, whilst a vessel is underway if necessary. Port facility audits bring their own unique set of obstacles and objectives.

Billings added, 'Security facilitators like Securewest International need to be able to offer a complete range of ISPS training, including Ship Security Officer and general ship security courses for those crew members who may be designated to perform duties of security personnel as defined in Part A, Section 13.1 through 13.3 of the ISPS Code.'

Securewest International uses trained and qualified security assessors who assess, prepare and write security assessments, security plans and audits for each individual vessel or facility. Each plan and audit is a hand crafted document that accurately reflects the security requirements for each individual facility or vessel using the specific information collated by the security assessor.

The company has recently been appointed as a Competent Authority to receive ship security alerts by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.

Securewest International will now be responsible for initiating the first response to the MCA's Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC).

The MCA also recognised the professionalism and efficiency of the SSAS monitoring service provided by Securewest International's manned 24/7/365 Maritime Assistance Centre.

MJ Information No: 20819