What event that happened around the world may have started the ISPS code? Well, obviously it’s the 911. The 911 incident was a total aviation security breach and it is still fresh in my memory all those images when the uncanny 911 event shock the world. It’s good to remind us all about what happened there and how devastating incident it was because it keeps jogging our memory that we don’t want that to happen again.
The response after that event in September 11, 2001, was to look after the security of all different kinds of transportation – sea transport, rail transport and all these kind of stuff and see if they can put things in place and put procedures together to stop all these acts of terrorism. The IMO or International Maritime Organization which is part of the United Nations put together regulations to help deal with the security of international port facilities and ships. This regulation is called the ISPS Code or the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code. ISPS applied to passenger ships (cruise ships, ferries, yachts), cargo ships over 500 gross tons, mobile offshore drilling units (ships that drill for oil) and port facilities engage in serving international voyages.
Basically before the ISPS Code was implemented, everyone is allowed to visit the ship with less or no restrictions and do everything they want. Maybe some different security checks were implemented onboard ships or maybe some shipping companies do different kind of security things.
So what was all about the ISPS Code? The ISPS Code was brought in as a standardized frame ware. The security measures that everybody - all ships, all shipping companies, and all countries – will do the same. It was brought in as a worldwide standard to fight against or help protect the ships and ports against terrorism.
Aside from what it is originally created for - which is to fight against terrorism - gangway checks and controlling the passengers as they first embarked on the ship or as passengers get back onboard from ashore also help prevent stowaways and thieves from boarding the vessel.
