Port Security: ISPS

Port Security
Name:
Institution:
Port Security
Resources Available to FSO for Detecting and Assessing threats in Maritime Operations
INTERNATIONAL SHIP AND PORT SECURITY CODE (ISPS)
ISPS is one of the resources at the disposal of Field Security Operation (FSO) officers to aid in detecting and assessing domestic and international threats in maritime operations. ISPS outlines minimum requirements that government agencies, ports, and ships need to obtain in preparation for handling and evaluating maritime threats (Ng & Vaggelas, 2012). The ISPS code prescribes various departments involved in the marine operations, starting from the governments, the shipping companies, the shipboard personnel, and the ports. The code is in two major parts, Part A, which contains mandatory regulations, and Part B includes rules that are not prescribed as compulsory. Proper implementation and enforcement of the ISP's code is projected to improve the security of both ports and ships as it has the potential of reducing illegal port and ship accesses (Ng & Vaggelas, 2012). However, the code still has gaps in it that need to be filled to improve its effectiveness.
One of the ISPS strengths is that it has established a common ground through which different international communities can unite in fighting insecurity in maritime as a single unit. The code has also increased awareness among various states about terrorism threats that arise from ships' vulnerability and other facilities in the port. On the contrary, cost of implementing the regulations prescribed in the code might be too high for poor countries to afford. Also lack of a common international low to guide on the implementation process is likely to derail the uniformity of regulations among the signatory states (Ng & Vaggelas, 2012). Lack of a common law among member’s states presents the opportunity for member states to enact an international law that all the members state will adhere to when implementing the ISPS code. Finally, considering that each member state currently implements the ISPS code in adherence to the states' specific law, confusion is likely to arise during the implementation process and, in return, derail the ISPS code's objectives.
SOLAS CONVENTION
The international convention for the safety of life at Sea, commonly referred to as the SOLAS Convention is a global maritime accord whose main agenda is to prescribe the minimum safety requirements needed for the construction and operation. SOLAS conventions are composed of various articles that outline the general obligations for its signatory states (Edition, 2012). In addition to the general responsibilities, the treaty contains 12 different chapters with regulations on various critical elements to port security, such as construction, fire protection, and radio communications. The rules outlined in the 12 chapters apply to different types of vessels except for chapter V, which requires every ship to be sufficiently and efficiently equipped and manned safety-wise (Edition, 2012).
Some of the strengths, weaknesses, and threats of the SOLAS convention include the following; First, the treaty, just like the ISPS codes, presents a common platform for the international community to arbitrate on p...