Background
Section 18.1, Part A of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS)
Code requires Port Facility Security Officers (PFSO) to have knowledge and have received
training, taking into account the guidance given in Part B of the Code.
The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) Circular No. 1188 issued on 22 May 2006, has
provided further guidelines on training and certification for PFSOs.
Implementation in Hong Kong
The implementation of the MSC Circular No. 1188 in Hong Kong has been discussed
in the 8th Port Area Security Advisory Committee (PASAC) held on 12
October 2006. Following the endorsement by the PASAC, the Hong Kong Marine Department
as the Designated Authority (DA) for implementing the ISPS Code in Hong Kong has
established guidelines and procedures for the training and certification of PFSO.
With effect from 1 April 2007, all PFSOs of the designated port facilities in Hong Kong
should possess a recognized documentary proof of meeting the training requirements for
serving as a PFSO. The recognized documentary proofs are :-
- A certificate issued by a local approved PFSO training course provider upon
satisfactory completion of a local PFSO training course
- A letter of recognition for serving as a PFSO issued by the Director of Marine
- Subject to verification, a certificate issued by an overseas PFSO training course
provider which has been approved by the respective SOLAS Contracting Government upon
satisfactory completion of an overseas PFSO training course
Approval and Monitoring of PFSO Course
Any PFSO training course provider who intends to organize a PFSO training course
should, in advance of conducting the course, apply in writing to the DA for approval.
The application should be addressed to the Director of Marine, for the attention of the
Port Security Administration Section, following the "Guidelines for Approving Port
Facility Security Officer Training Course" issued by the DA.
Recognition of Previous PFSO Training Course Qualification
Persons who have completed the local PFSO training courses prior to the implementation
of the MSC Circular No. 1188 in Hong Kong may apply for qualification recognition following
the "Guidelines for Application of Qualification Recognition as Port Facility Security Officer"
issued by the DA.
Validity of PFSO Qualification
The validity of any PFSO qualification is 5 years counted from the date of issue of the
original certificate. The validity could be extended when accompanied with evidence showing
that the holder has been in service as a PFSO or Deputy PFSO of a designated port facility
for at least 12 months in the preceding 5-year period.
List of Approved Training Course Providers
Institute of Seatransport
M/F, China Merchants Commercial Building, 15-16 Connaught Road West, Hong Kong.
Telephone: (852) 2581 0003
Fax: (852) 2581 0004
e-mail : info@seatransport.org
Lion Security Limited
Room 2318-2320 23/F,No.1 Hung To Road,Kwun Tong,Kowloon.
Telephone : (852) 2793 5335
Fax : (852) 2793 5223
e-mail : info@lionsecurity.com.hk
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