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Introducing security measures
for vessels of less than 500 gross tonnes (gt)
can be a major factor in reducing armed robbery
at sea, according to Maritime Institute of
Malaysia Centre for Ocean Law and Policy senior
researcher Capt ST Rakish.
Currently, the International Ship and Port
Security Facility (ISPS) Code is aimed at
detecting security threats and emsuring that
vessels of over 500gt implement security
measures.
Rakish said the security measures for vessels of
less than 500gt could be done at the discretion
of the individual member states that ratified
the ISPS Code.
“This is clearly illustrated in the ISPS Code
itself,” he said in his paper entitled Security
for Non-SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) Ships -
Way Forward for Malaysia at the Marine Managers
Conference 2008 in Penang recently.
According to the Department of Fisheries' recent
data, Rakish said, the number of fishing vessels
above 70gt and number of foreign fishermen
working on local boats were high and required
close observation.
“Thus, there is further room for establishing
maritime security measures for vessels less than
500gt or non-SOLAS vessels.
“Along the Straits of Malacca, many non-SOLAS
vessels calling at Malaysian ports that are
engaged in international voyages (barter
traders) of short-distance navigation between
neighbouring countries.
“Thus we must consider establishing an effective
structure for cooperation with the agencies of
these neighbouring countries to share
information on vessel registrations and
callings,” he said.
Rakish said measures undertaken by Malaysia's
closest counterpart, Singapore, should be
observed as an example in counteracting any
future undesirable incidents involving non-SOLAS
boats at sea.
He said the implementation of Harbour Craft
Transponder System and the Harbour Craft
Security Code should be considered.
“The Singapore governing authority has also
requested that small craft complete the Ship
Self Security Assessment, which assists the port
facility security officers to complete the
Declaration of Security required by the ISPS
Code.
“The measure to specify a designated navigation
route for the small craft is welcomed,” he said.
In Canada, Rakish said, the Marine
Transportation Security Regulations 2002 had
been extended to cover vessels starting from
100gt upwards, which complemented Article 3 of
the ISPS code,” he said.
He said that for Malaysia, the maritime security
measures for non-SOLAS vessels could combine a
self-defense system, a self-identification
system and an information-sharing system.
“Self-defence measures like the one provided by
the ISPS Code facilitated the protection of
vessels from the threats posed by others,” he
said.
“Identification system is a measure to transmit
the identity and the position of the ship. And
information sharing involves the reinforcement
of the information exchange and network
establishment among agencies in neighbouring
countries.”
Rakish concluded that the decision on the
necessity of maritime security measures on non-SOLAS
vessels should be made based on circumstances
peculiar to each sea area.
“This is because the targeted vessels are
relatively small and have shorter voyages.
“The implementation of these security measures
should take into account the possibility of non-SOLAS
vessels involved in transnational unlawful
acts,” he said. |
