The CSO is required to ensure that “persons with appropriate skills to evaluate the security of a ship” carry out the ship security assessment.
(ISPS Code, A/8. 2) A recognised security organisation may carry out the SSA. (ISPS Code, A/8. 3) However, MCA Guidance to Surveyors states: “The SSA must be carried out by properly trained personnel. This includes those who have attended approved Company Security Officer and Ship Security Officer courses and may include classification societies or reputable firms of consultants. The UK is not approving Recognised Security Organisations (RSO), therefore any reputable firm of consultants may be utilised to carry out the SSA. There must be evidence that the company has accepted the SSA.”
