The ISPS courses offered by AMC Search have been evolving since their introduction in 2003, and are now offered as the Australian Maritime Security Course, which incorporates the security training requirements of both the ISPS Code and SOLAS Amendments 2003, and the Australian Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003.
The Australian Maritime Security Course offers candidates the choice of the following short courses:
- Company Security Officer
- Head Security Officer
- Offshore Facility Security Officer (as required by Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Regulations 2003)
- Port/Port Facility Security Officer (as required by International Ship and Port Facility Code and SOLAS Amendments 2003)
- Ship Security Officer (AMSA approved)
From 1 January, 2008, Marine Orders part 3 will be amended to make it a legal requirement for a person in the position of a ship security officer to have completed an approved program of training that complies with paragraphs 1-4 of section A-VI/5 of the STCW Code.
The Ship Security Officer course component of AMC Search's Australian Maritime Security course is AMSA approved as meeting the requirements of section 1-4, section A-VI/5 of the STCW Code. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates are able to apply for AMSA endorsement of their Certificate of Competency.
Company/Ship Security Officer (C/SSO) and Port/Port Facility Security Officer (P/PFSO)
Under the terms of the ISPS Code, shipping companies will be required to designate a Company Security Officer for the company and a Ship Security Officer for each of its ships, and terminals will be required to designate a Port Facility Security Officer. These courses are designed to provide instruction and proficiency in compliance with the ISPS Code for Company and Ship Security Officers (C/SSO) and Port Facility Security Officers (P/PFSO).
C/SSO Content
A candidate successfully completing the Company and Ship Security Officer programme will be able to:
- Describe recommended practices and procedures listed in international regulations and policies regarding ship security
- Develop a threat assessment and risk analysis based on available intelligence information
- Identify characteristics and behaviour patterns of persons who may be likely to commit unlawful acts
- Recognise and detect weapons, dangerous substances and devices
- Identify common crowd behaviours
- Develop and implement a ship security plan
- Demonstrate the elements of a security assessment and propose modifications to an existing plan
P/PFSO Content
A candidate successfully completing the Port Facility Security Officer programme will be able to:
- Manage the conduct of a Port Facility Security Assessment
- Develop a Port Facility Security plan from the assessment and submit it for approval by the appropriate Authority
- Supervise the implementation of the Port Facility Security Plan
- Maintain the Port Facility Security Plan
- Assess security risks, threats and vulnerability
- Undertake periodic inspections of the port facility to ensure security measures are implemented and maintained in accordance with the Port Facility Security Plan
- Ensure that all security equipment and systems of the port facility are properly operated, tested and calibrated
- Encourage security awareness and vigilance
- Liaise with Ship Security Officers regarding security issues
- Ensure that security related personnel receive adequate training
Offshore Facility Security Officer
A candidate successfully completing the Offshore Facility Security Officer (OFSO) programme will be able to:
- Conduct an initial security survey of the facility and facilitate the completion of the security assessment for the security plan
- Ensure the development and maintenance of the security plan
- Implement the security plan
- Undertake regular security inspections of the facility to ensure the effectiveness and adequacy of security measures
- Facilitate security plan reviews
- Recommend and incorporate modifications to the security plan in order to:
- correct deficiencies in the plan; or
- update the plan to take into account changes to the facility
- Enhance security awareness and vigilance of facility personnel
- Ensure that standards for personnel with, or who have been assigned, security duties and responsibilities are met and that adequate training is provided to the personnel
- Report to the relevant authorities, and maintaining records of, occurrences which threaten the security of the facility
- Liaise with ship security officers and offshore industry participants' security officers
- Co-ordinate with security, police, fire, ambulance, medical, search and rescue services, as appropriate
- Ensure that security equipment is properly operated, inspected, tested, calibrated and maintained
- Confirm the identity of persons intending to enter the facility
- Provide advice to the secretary on the operational and safety aspects of the implementation of security and control directions
- Communicate and coordinate the implementation of security and control directions
Head Security Officer
A candidate successfully completing the Head Security Officer programme will be able to:
- Answer any questions about the plan
- Act as contact officer during the approval process
- Implement and maintain the plan for the facility or facilities
- Liaise with the OFSO for each facility and with Offshore service provider Security Officer
- Perform any additional duties and responsibilities set out in the plan
The venue for these courses is determined by the location of the majority of the course participants. Participants are advised of the location approximately 4 weeks prior to the scheduled date.