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PORT FACILITY SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

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.

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. Application for the extension should be addressed to the Director of Marine, for the attention of the Port Security Administration Section, following the “Guidelines for Application of Qualification Recognition as Port Facility Security Officer" issued by the DA.

List of Approved Training Course Providers

Institute of Seatransport

Address M/F, China Merchants Commercial Building,
15-16 Connaught Road West, Hong Kong.
Telephone (852) 2581 0003
Fax (852) 2581 0004
Email info@seatransport.org

Lion Training Centre

Address Room 2318-2320 23/F,No.1 Hung To Road,
Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Telephone (852) 2793 5335
Fax (852) 2793 5223
Email info@liontraining.com.hk