N.T. BRANCH CIRCULAR NO : NT/ISPS/03/2007 

Dated :18th January, 2007

Subject : Standard procedure for testing of Ship Security Alert System

It has been observed while carrying out the test of Ship Security Alert System, that on several occasions, the test of Ship Security Alert System is carried out in the "TEST" mode. 

All Indian Ship owners, Company Security Officers, Masters and others concerned may please note that the SSAS test is to be carried out in the "LIVE" mode only. 

Attention is invited to ISPS Circular: NT/ISPS/COM/06/2004- SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM, dated 1^st July 2004. Upon acquisition of a ship/ fitting of SSAS equipment, CSOs are to ensure that Annex "A" and Annex "B" attached to this circular, alongwith the details of the service provider/ user name and log in ID are conveyed by e-mail to the DG Commcentre well in advance, preferably one day prior to the conduct of the test.   

The standard procedure for testing of Ship Security Alert System is as follows: 

1.        E-mail DG Commcentre the following information at least three hours in advance when requesting for a test :

a)       Name of the vessel and its present position

b)       Intended date and time (UTC) and IST of the test.
 

2.       The DG Commcentre will acknowledge confirming the conduct of the test. It may be noted that SSAS tests with other ship/s may have already been scheduled at the proposed time, in which case, the DG Commcentre would advise the earliest suitable time for the conduct of the test.
 

3.       The ship staff may then carry out the SSAS test as per schedule, first from Location 1.
 

4.       The CSO/ Master shall confirm by phone whether the Alert has been received by DG Commcentre. DG Commcentre will then advise if all details provided in the alert are correct, or otherwise.
 

5.       If all details received are correct, DG Commcentre will advise to reset the alert and then proceed to test from Location 2

6.       When testing from Location 2, WAIT FOR about 30 minutes for alert to go to Level 3.

            7.       Call DG Commcentre to confirm whether alert Level 3 has been received. 

8.       DG Commcentre will confirm whether all is OK, or otherwise. If all is OK, DG Commcentre will advise the CSO/ Master to reset the system.
 

9.      After resetting the system, the CSO/ Master to send an email to DG Commcentre stating that the "SSAS test has been completed and all subsequent alerts may be treated as true alerts." Request for compliance may be
made immediately upon satisfactory completion of the test, and not after several days, as observed in some cases. It may be noted that no such requests for compliance will be entertained if not made immediately after completion of the test.
 

10.     Commcentre will then revert compliance by email if tests were OK or advise further testing/ rectification, as required.

Attention is drawn to ISPS Circular NT/ISPS/COM/06/2004 dated 1^st July 2004, SUB: SHIP SECURITY
ALERT SYSTEM. Please note that Annex "A" and Annex "B" attached to the said circular stand CANCELLED. The amended Annex "A" and Annex "B" attached to this circular are to be used with immediate effect and the obsolete Annexes withdrawn. 

All ship owners, CSOs, Masters and managers are advised to adhere to and comply with this circular without any deviation.

All ship owners, ship managers and Masters are requested to peruse this draft circular and offer their comments. If
no comments/feedback are received by 31^st January 2006, this circular shall come into force. 

Sd/-
(Capt. R. Awasthi)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-
Deputy Director General of Shipping (Technical) 
 

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