Ship Security Assessment (SSA)

The Ship Security Assessment is the documented risk analysis a ship completes before its security plan, identifying key shipboard operations, threats, vulnerabilities, and the consequences of an incident. ISPS Code Part A Section 8 requires it as part of developing the ship security plan and lists the elements: identification of existing measures and procedures, key operations to protect, possible threats and their likelihood, and weak points including human factors and infrastructure. The Company Security Officer ensures persons with appropriate skills carry it out, including an on-scene security survey. It is the ship-side counterpart to the Facility Security Assessment.