1 The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee),
at its eighty-first session (10 to 19 May 2006), noted reports that
in a number of cases, when the competent authorities designated by
Administrations received ship security alerts (SSAs), the information
provided to them for identifying the shipsfootnote transmitting the alert were not adequate
and they could not easily identify the ships concerned.
2 The Committee recognized that, if ship security
alert systems were to function in an effective and efficient manner
so as to provide the security-related benefits for which they were
envisioned, there was a need to ensure a harmonized and consistent
implementation of the provisions of SOLAS regulation
XI-2/6 on Ship security alert systems and of the associated
performance standardsfootnote. As a result
the Committee approved the Guidance on the provision of information
for identifying ships when transmitting ship security alerts (the
Guidance) set out at annex.
3
SOLAS Contracting Governments
are invited to bring the Guidance to the attention of owners and of
Companies operating ships entitled to fly their flag, of those they
have recognized, authorized or approved to provider services in relation
to SSAs and of the recognized organizations and the recognized security
organizations they have authorized to act on their behalf.
4
SOLAS Contracting Governments,
international organizations and non-governmental organizations with
consultative status which encounter difficulties with the implementation
of the Guidance should bring, at the earliest opportunity, the matter
to the attention of the Committee for consideration of actions to
be taken.