Ships which do not have security clearance may be turned away from Irish ports under a new international security code which comes into force today. Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent, reports.
Ships and ports must have designated security officers, and passengers travelling on ferries will have to go through airport-style "check-in" terminals under the terms of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, which has been designed to help detect and deter threats to international security.
Promulgated by the US in the wake of the September 11th, 2001, attacks, the code was agreed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in December 2002.
It applies to passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 gross tonnes and upwards, mobile offshore drilling units and ports serving ships engaged on international voyages.
Some 55 Irish port facilities, covering the 22 ports and harbours in the State will be subject to the new security measures.
But several ports have criticised the delay by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in implementing the measures and in providing a 24-hour security phone line for major alerts.
Some of the State's largest ports, including Dublin and Galway, were only issued with certificates of clearance yesterday by the Department, although security clearance had been obtained by the ports well in advance of the code's deadline.
A Department spokesman yesterday defended the handling of the new regulations and said that change could be difficult for any organisation including ports.
Under the code, each contracting government should have conducted assessments to identify risks and vulnerable areas in ports. These assessments should have identified structures which, if damaged, could cause significant loss of life or damage to the port's economy or environment.
The code requires ships to have recognised international security certificates, security plans, security officers and "certain" onboard equipment.
The regulations do not extend to arming security officers, and Lloyd's Register says it does not advocate merchant ships carrying firearms in any circumstances.
The ISPS code identifies a series of "levels" which respond to security alerts: level 1 (normal), level 2 (medium) and level 3 (high). Implementation of the levels could cause serious disruption in ports, particularly ferry ports. Some 5 per cent of all vehicles have to be searched randomly during a level 1 alert, while 20 per cent have to be searched during a level 2 alert.
A level 3 alert requires the assistance of State security services, including the Garda and the Naval Service.
Ships will be subject to appropriate security measures while in port, including fencing around cruise vessels and issuing of shore passes for passengers and crew. Significantly, relevant authorities may request information on the ship's cargo, passengers and crew before the vessel enters port.
Dublin is the only Irish port to have advertised for a dedicated head of security as part of the code's provisions, and the appointment is expected to be made very shortly, according to a Dublin Port spokesman.
"Our biggest worry is ensuring that this area doesn't become a conduit for vessels targeting Britain," the spokesman said. Up to 4,000 people are employed on the Dublin Port estate.