Ship Security Officer (SSO)

The Ship Security Officer (SSO) is the person on board accountable to the master for the ship’s security, the implementation and maintenance of the Ship Security Plan, and liaison with the Company Security Officer and Port Facility Security Officers. The role is mandated by SOLAS XI-2 through the ISPS Code Part A, paragraph 12, which lists the SSO’s duties: regular security inspections, proposing modifications to the plan, security training and awareness, reporting deficiencies, and coordinating the security survey. The SSO holds STCW security training under the 2010 Manila amendments. One officer is designated per ship and named in the approved plan.