To whom it may concern
The Installation requirement of the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) is given in SOLAS Reg. XI-2/6. As there are frequent inquiries regarding the relation between Safety Radio Survey (SR Survey) required by SOLAS Chapter IV and the verification of the SSAS installation as well as the deadline for the installation, some explanation is given hereunder. Please be reminded that depending upon the type of the ship, the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC) will lose its validity if the SSAS is not fitted by the first SR survey after 1 July 2004.

1. When is deadline for the SSAS installation?

The deadline for installing SSAS is, as given in SOLAS Reg. XI-2/6, the first SR survey after 1 July 2004 (Passenger ships, Oil tanker, Chemical Tanker, Gas Carrier and Bulk Carrier) or the first SR survey after 1 July 2006 (Other cargo ships, MODU). For example, an oil tanker must fit SSAS by the first SR survey after 1 July 2004. If the SSAS is not fitted, the fact will constitute non-compliance with the requirement of SOLAS Reg. XI-2/6 after that date.

For your information, please note that for "existing new ships", I.e., ships construction works of which has started prior to 1 July 2004 but delivered after 1 July 2004, "the first SR survey" is the initial SR survey to be conducted at the time of the delivery.

2. Which organization is to carry out verification audit of the SSAS

Installation requirements are given in SOLAS Reg. XI-2/6, thus, the verification of the SSAS is to be conducted as Ship Security System Audit. Thus, this verification is not an SR survey required by SOLAS Chapter IV. If the SR certificate has been issued by an organization other than ClassNK while ClassNK has conducted an audit for the Ship Security System, verification of the SSAS Installation is to be made by ClassNK. Of course, the SR Survey is carried out by the organization issuing SR Certificate. If the situation is the other way around, ClassNK will conduct SR survey and the other organization will carry out an audit for the verification of SSAS installation. If ClassNK has issued both the SR Certificate and the International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC), ClassNK carries out both SR survey and the audit for the verification of SSAS installation.

(To be continued)