Responsibilities

Transport Canada
Recognize Security Organizations
Ship Companies
CompanySecurityOfficer
ShipSecurityOfficer
PortFacilitySecurityOfficer
Port Facility Operators

Transport Canada

Transport Canada – as the Government of Canada's designated authority ndash; has various responsibilities, including:

• setting security levels
• ensuring the approval of Ship Security Plans and approving Port Facility Security Plans
• verifying compliance with the ISPS Code#&39;s requirements and issuing to ships the International Ship Security Certificate
• determining which port facilities are required to designate a Port Facility Security Officer
• ensuring the completion and approval of Port Facility Security Assessments
• exercising control and compliance measures
• communicating information to the International Maritime Organization and to the shipping and port industries
• determining when a Declaration of Security – which addresses the security requirements that could be shared between a port facility and a ship, or between ships – is required

Recognized Security Organizations 

Transport Canada may delegate certain security duties relating to ships to Recognized Security Organizations acronym title="Recognized Security Organizations">(RSOs), with the exception of: 

• setting security levels
• approving Port Facility Security Assessments
• determining which port facilities are required to designate a Port Facility Security Officer
• approving Port Facility Security Plans
• exercising control and compliance measures
• establishing requirements for Declarations of Security

  Ship Companies

Ship companies are required to act upon the security levels set by Transport Canada as set out below. The following activities will be carried out at all times on all ships in order to identify and take preventive measures against security incidents: 

• ensuring the performance of all ship security duties
• controlling access to the ship
• controlling the embarkation of persons and their effects
• monitoring restricted areas to ensure that only authorized persons have access
• monitoring of deck areas and areas surrounding the ship
• supervising the handling of cargo and ship's stores
• ensuring that security communication is readily available

In the case of a heightened risk of a security incident, or where a security incident is probable or imminent, the ship company will acknowledge receipt of the instructions on the change of security level and will confirm the initiation of appropriate measures and procedures. 

If a ship is at a higher security level than that set for the port it intends to enter, then the ship company will advise the appropriate authority of Transport Canada, as well as the Port Facility Security Officer.

A person designated as the Company Security Officer may act in this capacity for one or more ships, depending on the number or types of ships the ship owner operates provided it is clearly identified for which ships this person is responsible. A ship owner may, depending on the number or types of ships they operate designate several persons as Company Security Officers provided it is clearly identified for which ships each person is responsible. 

The ship owner will ensure that the Company Security Officer is given the necessary support to fulfill his or her duties and responsibilities

The ship owner will ensure that the Ship Security Officer is given the necessary support to fulfill his or her duties and responsibilities

Company Security Officer

The Company Security Officer is designated by the ship owner, and is responsible for: 

• ensuring that Ship Security Assessments are carried out
• ensuring the development, submission for approval, implementation and maintenance of Ship Security Plans
• arranging for internal audits and reviews of security activities, and ship verifications, as well as ensuring that deficiencies and non-conformities identified are promptly addressed
• advising on the level of threats likely to be encountered by the ship, using appropriate security assessments and other relevant information
• ensuring adequate training for personnel responsible for the security of the ship
• ensuring effective communication and co-operation between the Ship Security Officer and the relevant Port Facility Security Officers

Ship Security Officer

The Ship Security Officer is designated by the ship owner as the person onboard each ship responsible for: 

• undertaking regular security inspections of the ship to ensure that appropriate security measures are maintained
• maintaining and supervising the implementation of the Ship Security Plan, in coordination with the Company Security Officer and the relevant Port Facility Security Officer
• co-ordinating the security aspects of the handling of cargo and ship's stores with other shipboard personnel and with the relevant Port Facility Security Officer(s)
• reporting to the Company Security Officer any deficiencies and non-conformities identified during internal audits, periodic reviews, security inspections and verifications of compliance and implementing any corrective actions
• enhancing security awareness and vigilance on board
• ensuring that adequate training has been provided to shipboard personnel

  Port Facility Security Officer 

A Port Facility Security Officer will be designated for each port facility, and will be responsible for: 

• conducting an initial comprehensive security survey of the port facility taking into account the relevant Port Facility Security Assessment
• developing, maintaining, implementing, exercising and recommending changes to the Port Facility Security Plan
• undertaking regular security inspections of the port facility to ensure the continuation of appropriate security measures
• enhancing security awareness and vigilance of the port facility personnel
• ensuring adequate training has been provided to personnel responsible for the security of the port facility
• reporting to the relevant authorities and maintaining records of occurrences which threaten the security of the port facility
• co-ordinating implementation of the Port Facility Security Plan with the appropriate ship owner and Ship Security Officer(s)
• co-ordinating with security services, as appropriate
• ensuring that security equipment is properly operated, tested, calibrated and maintained
• assisting Ship Security Officers in confirming the identity of those seeking to board the ship when requested

A person may be designated as the Port Facility Security Officer for one or more port facilities.

Port Facility Operators

Port facility operators are required to act upon the security levels set by Transport Canada. In order to identify and take preventive measures against security incidents, the following activities will be carried out through appropriate measures in all port facilities at all times: 

• ensuring the performance of all port facility security duties
• controlling access to the port facility
• monitoring of the port facility, including anchoring and berthing area(s)
• monitoring restricted areas to ensure that only authorized persons have access
• supervising the handling of cargo
• supervising the handling of ship's stores
• ensuring that security communication is readily available

At heightened security levels, additional protective measures specified in the Port Facility Security Plan will be implemented, and port facilities may be required to respond to and implement any security instructions given by Transport Canada.

When advised that a ship is encountering difficulties in complying with the requirements the ISPS Code, its own Ship Security Plan, or any security instructions given by Transport Canada, the Port Facility Security Officer and Ship Security Officer will co-ordinate appropriate actions.

When advised that a ship is at a security level higher than that of the port facility, the Port Facility Security Officer will report to the appropriate authority and maintain a liaison with the Ship Security Officer as required.