SHIP SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM (SSAS)

SSAS to be installed on Hong Kong registered ships should:

• comply with relevant IMO requirements and approved by one of the Marine Department's Recognized Security Organization (RSO); and
  
• pass the compatibility test with the reception facilities in the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC) in the Initial Installation Testing of SSAS.
  

The IMO requirements governing SSAS are stipulated in SOLAS Chapter XI-2/Reg. 6. Marine Department accepts materials and equipment complying with the test procedures/standards and performance specifications as stipulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In general, materials and equipment approved by a maritime authority for use on its registered ships or authorized ROs or RSOs of the Hong Kong Marine Department (MD) are acceptable to be used on cargo ships registered in Hong Kong.

The competent authority for receiving the SSAS alert message for Hong Kong registered ships is the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC). The email address for receiving the SSAS message is ssalert@mardep.gov.hk. This email address should only be used for receiving of the SSAS message and not for general communication with the MD.

Testing of initial installed SSAS on board a Hong Kong registered ship to confirm correct functioning and settings of equipment, which involves sending of the test message to ssalert@mardep.gov.hk, should follow the below guidance:

1. Notification of initial installation testing of SSAS shall be made to the Cargo Ships Safety Section (mms@mardep.gov.hk) 3 working days before the testing. The ship’s Name, Call Sign, IMO Number, and MMSI Number shall be included in the email.
   
2. CSO (Company Security Officer), SSO or ship's master should inform the Cargo Ships Safety Section (mms@mardep.gov.hk) and a carbon copy to Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC) (hkmrcc@mardep.gov.hk) by email 1 to 2 hours before the test.
   
3. The SSAS alert test message should be printed with the word "TEST TEST TEST" either in the message or in the Subject row.
   
4. If the above arrangement was not applicable to the ship’s SSAS equipment, the CSO shall inform the CSS Section and obtain the confirmation from CSS Section.
   
5. SSAS should be reset immediately after the test to avoid unnecessary re-send of the test message.
6. CSO, SSO or ship's master should inform via e-mail to the Cargo Ships Safety Section (mms@mardep.gov.hk) and a carbon copy to Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC) (hkmrcc@mardep.gov.hk) by email after the completion of the test.
7. Acknowledgment will be sent to CSO.
   

Testing of functioning and settings to existing SSAS of a Hong Kong registered ship can be carried out by sending out a testing message to CSO without the need to involve the MD. However, annual testing of SSAS involving MD should be conducted, and the following guidance should be followed:

1. CSO (Company Security Officer), SSO or ship's master should inform the Cargo Ships Safety Section (mms@mardep.gov.hk) and a carbon copy to Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC) (hkmrcc@mardep.gov.hk) by email 1 to 2 hours before the periodical test.
   
2. The SSAS alert test message should be printed with the word "TEST TEST TEST" either in the message or in the Subject row.
   
3. If the above arrangement was not applicable to the ship’s SSAS equipment, the CSO shall inform the CSS Section and obtain the confirmation from CSS Section.
   
4. The competent authority for receiving the SSAS alert message for Hong Kong registered ships is the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC). The email address for receiving the SSAS message is ssalert@mardep.gov.hk. This email address should only be used for SSAS message and not for general communication with the MD.
   
5. SSAS should be reset immediately after the periodical testing to avoid re-sending of the unnecessary test message.
6. CSO, SSO or ship's master should inform via e-mail to the Cargo Ships Safety Section (mms@mardep.gov.hk) and a carbon copy to Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (HKMRCC) (hkmrcc@mardep.gov.hk) by email after the periodical testing.
7. Acknowledgment will be sent to CSO.
   

Any queries in respect of SSAS acceptance by Marine Department or test after the installation should be directed to the Senior Surveyor/Cargo Ships Safety at Tel. No.: (852) 2852 4510, Fax No.: (852) 2545 0556 or by e-mail mms@mardep.gov.hk.