{"id":200,"date":"2026-03-26T09:43:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T09:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/?p=200"},"modified":"2026-03-26T10:20:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:20:16","slug":"wk-48-focus-inspection-campaign-by-ocimf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wk-48-focus-inspection-campaign-by-ocimf\/","title":{"rendered":"WK 48 – Focus Inspection Campaign by OCIMF"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vessel Hardening Plan<\/p>\n\n\n\n


One of the question categories in SIRE 2.0 is the campaign type. Under this, OCIMF carried out a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC), and the findings are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, most findings were about things you could see \u2014 missing barriers, unsecured access points, incomplete arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, those visible gaps are reducing. But something else is becoming more evident.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue is no longer equipment. It is how well the system behind it works.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the inspection data, even before the campaign started, nearly half of the findings were already linked to processes such as planning, documentation and governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human factors formed a large portion as well. Equipment-related issues were actually the smallest part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the campaign, this trend became even clearer. Hardware deficiencies dropped significantly, but process-related findings increased. Human factors remained consistently present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tells us one thing. As we fix what is visible, inspections begin to expose what is not working in the system.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many vessels today have proper hardening measures in place. Barriers are rigged. Access points are controlled. Procedures are written. On paper, everything looks correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But the findings show that having arrangements is not the same as being ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are gaps such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Procedures that are too general and not practical<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Lack of clarity on how arrangements should be applied during real operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Documentation that exists, but does not support decision-making onboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Verification that checks records, not actual understanding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    These are not failures of intent. They are signs that systems are not fully aligned with real operational conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Human factors continue to be a major concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drills are conducted, but not always realistically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Familiarization is recorded, but not always tested. Responsibilities are assigned, but not always clearly understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When roles are unclear, hesitation follows. And in security situations, hesitation is risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vessel hardening depends on three things working together \u2014 people, processes and equipment. If one is weak, the whole system becomes unreliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The campaign also highlights an important point. This is not about declining standards. It is about changing visibility. As basic issues are fixed, deeper weaknesses naturally become more noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So the question for operators is no longer whether hardening measures are in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The real question is whether they can be applied consistently, under pressure, across different operations and crews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Plans should not just exist. They should work in real conditions. Documentation should guide action, not just satisfy inspection. Verification should test understanding, not just presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Strong systems are not built for ideal conditions. They are built for everyday operations, including when things are busy, complex or under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In simple terms, vessel hardening is not about adding more. It is about making what we already have work properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That is where the focus needs to move now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are we just compliant, or are we actually prepared?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Checklist for ensuring your security measures complied:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Is the Ships staff aware of company’s security policy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Is ISPS Certificate on board and its DOE: (SOLAS CH. IX \/ 2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. What is Continuous Synopsis Record Latest Document # (CSR document issued is not later than 3 months from the date of change) Are Form 2 and 3 on board for all documents (SOLAS CH. IX \/ 2 \/\/ VIQ 2.1.2 , Flag State Circ)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Are latest Security alerts from the company received, reviewed, and implemented in the voyage (Check Passage Plan)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Does the Master understand overall responsibility for Safety and Security and can demonstrate “Overriding Authority ” as stated in the company’s manuals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Are the following available in the SSP a. General Ship Particulars b. Ownership and Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Is a CSO nominated for the vessel , Are Officers and Crew aware of the role and responsibilities of CSO<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Are Master (SSO) and CO (Add. SSO) holding Security Officer Course , Is the Master \/ SSO familiar with SSO role and responsibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Is there evidence of master\u2019s Planning towards security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. Is there evidence of that SSO takes regular security inspection? Date of last inspection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    11. Does the vessel have the OCIMF Paper- \u201cShip Security \u2013 Guidelines to Harden Vessels\u2019 which provides guidance on establishing procedures and implementing a vessel hardening plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    12. Does the vessel carry list of relevant security charts, publications, and guidelines?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    13. Is an approved SSP on board?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    14. Are record of changes to the SSP maintained , Are the changes approved by flag state<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    15. Is the Part B of the SSP kept confidential and in Master\u2019s custody<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    16. Is the annual review of the SSP\/ ISPS carried out by the Master \/ SSO. Date of Last review:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    17. Are the SSO \/ PFSO in contact prior vessels arrival and relevant information been passed to the port facility wrt the vessel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    18. Has the Master \/ SSO reported security related incidents to the company. Date of Last incident:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    19. Are records maintained to show full compliance with the ISPS code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    20. Does Master have information of the following : Crew Appointment \/\/ Parties responsible for Employment of the vessel\/ Charterers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    21. Is a Key control log \/ record available on board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    22. Are the following records available?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      1) Record of security level changes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      2) The security level at which the ship is currently operating                                                                                           <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      3) The security level at which the ship operated in any previous port, where it has conducted a ship\/port interface within the timeframe specified                                                      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4) Record of any special or additional security measures\/ appropriate ship security procedures \/ other practical security related information undertaken during such interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      23. Is the Gangway manned at all times<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      24.Are the Restricted areas locked \/ and protected by unauthorized entry (Padlocks etc)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      25.Are security patrols taken as per the frequency given in the SSP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      26.Are the security duties given to officers by the Master<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      27.Are training sessions , security drills being carried out as per company’s matrix and records available. Date of last training session\/ subject:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      28.Has crew attended any training ashore wrt ISPS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      29.Has the vessel participated in Ship\/ Shore Drill? Date of last drill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      30. In case of Deviations\/ Failures, have appropriate corrective actions taken , Have the effectiveness of corrective actions verified<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      31. Is the quarterly Security report completed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      32.Are officers aware of the function of the ship security alert system and how it operates?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      33. If SSAS Type Approval from Flag State available SSAS Annual Test Report   Last Done Date:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      34.Is AIS Type approval certificate available<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      AIS Annual test report   Last Done Date:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      LRIT Test Report Last Done Date:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      #MarinersUpdate #MaritimeNews #MerchantNavy #ShippingIndustry #LifeAtSea #Seafarers #ShipManagement #MaritimeSecurity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      #OCIMF #SIRE2 #VesselHardening #ShipInspection #Vetting #MarineSafety #HumanFactors #FIC #SafetyCulture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      #MaritimeInnovation #SecurityAwareness #TechnicalManagement #OilAndGas #TankerShipping #MarineEngineering #ComplianceVsPreparedness<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Vessel Hardening Plan One of the question categories in SIRE 2.0 is the campaign type. Under this, OCIMF carried out a Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC), and the findings are as follows: Earlier, most findings were about things you could see \u2014 missing barriers, unsecured access points, incomplete arrangements. Today, those […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":201,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ocimf-sire-inspection-updates"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=200"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":204,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200\/revisions\/204"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/marinersupdate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}