COMDTINST 3120.3
5. DISCUSSION. The SSAS transmits a security alert to the Coast Guard either directly or via a
communications service provider (CSP) indicating the security of the ship is under threat or has been
compromised. The shipboard portion of the system is required to have a minimum of two activation
points, one of which is on the navigation bridge, and is intended to allow covert activation without
raising the alarm onboard or with other ships. According to IMO standards, flag states, upon
receiving a ship security alert, must notify the coastal state in whose vicinity the ship is operating
and authorities of other nations. Therefore, the Coast Guard must be prepared to receive security
alerts directly from a shipboard SSAS, or indirectly via designated competent authorities, CSP's, or
authorities of other states, and relay alerts to other international contacts. To facilitate the exchange
of ship and port security information, the IMO is developing a list of Administration points of
contact as required by Regulation XI-2/13. As indicated in reference (c), the contact for the U.S. will
be the Pacific Area Command Center (RCC Alameda). Security alerts from ships may be routed via
CSPs, such as Inmarsat or Cospas/Sarsat. These will also be forwarded to the Pacific Area
Command Center for action or disposition. There are four primary ways for alerts to be transmitted
to the U.S. Coast Guard.
a. Cospas-Sarsat. (Automatic forwarding.)
b. Inmarsat. (Automatic forwarding.)
c. Other CSP. (Automatic or immediate manual forwarding.)
d. Other Flag States. In accordance with SOLAS XI/2 Regulation 6, when an Administration
receives a security alert from one of its own flagged vessels, that administration shall
immediately notify the state in which the ship is currently operating. Therefore, the U.S. must
also be prepared to receive these notifications.
6. TASKING.
a. The Commander, Pacific Area shall work with the Commander, Atlantic Area to develop general
operational doctrine and procedures for appropriate units responding to ship security alerts,
including guidance for working with other authorities or organizations that may have potential
response roles. The Office of Search and Rescue, Commandant (G-OPR), the Headquarters
Program Manager for Command Centers, shall coordinate the Area's efforts and promulgate
guidance to command centers for receipt and response to SSAS alerts. These shall be submitted
to the Assistant Commandant for Operations (G-O) and Assistant Commandant for Marine
Safety, Security and Environmental Protection (G-M) prior to 1 April 2004 to allow publication
prior to 1 July 2004.
b. The Office of Port and Vessel Security, Commandant (G-MPS), is the lead office for SSAS
issues. The Office of Compliance, Commandant (G-MOC), will assist with SSAS
implementation guidance and is the lead office for SSAS equipment inspection issues. The
Office of Design and Engineering Standards, Commandant (G-MSE), will assist with SSAS
technical guidance.
c. The Office of Systems Engineering, Commandant (G-MSE), working with the Marine Safety
Center, shall be responsible for issues related to equipment approval and certifications or testing
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