SHIP SECURITY ALERT ADVANCED (SSAS) & SHIP SECURITY REPORTING SYSTEM (SSRS)
Ship Security Alert Advanced (SSAS)
Polestar’s Alert Advanced Ship Security Alert System provides a complete and integrated SSAS platform to manage fleet security and respond to incidents, from your office, home or mobile. Rapid response is vital in a security situation. That is why Alert Advanced delivers decision-ready data, accessible from your home, office or mobile, wherever you are in the world. Manage security across your entire fleet, in a single SOLAS compliant web based system, irrespective of the hardware installed onboard. Combining real-time control of Security Alert distribution with secure password identification and HTTPs encryption, Alert Advanced ensures your sensitive data is secure and restricted to authorised personnel.
Alert Advanced offers ship-owners and managers an advanced and dedicated platform for managing fleet security. The system provides crews with a vital link to shore, and CSO’s with real-time alerts and fleet visibility.
Integrated C-Map charts provide visibility, while advanced features – such as Industry Zones, geo-zone notifications and weather – support your risk management initiatives.
Control the distribution of ship-to-shore SSAS messages with easy online access. Create, delete or change message recipients and alter the message format to include a map, track history, forecast weather and ship particulars such as MMSI, Call Sign.
Key benefits
- Manage fleet security using a proven and reliable Ship Security Alert System
- Keep information secure by limiting access to the system via secure logins
- Control distribution of data to designated recipients
- Alert message delivery by – email, fax, SMS, telex
- Equipment tamper alarms
- Warning reports of low battery voltage
- Manage security on one system, supports Pole Star DSAS range and other manufacturers’ SSAS units
Hardware options
For optimum performance, Pole Star recommends the use of its DSAS Mk2 hardware – a dedicated unit with integral battery to provide complete robustness and reliability. The Pole Star DSAS Mk2 is a self-contained SSAS unit combining an integrated IsatData Pro satellite transceiver, power management unit and back-up batteries which that will keep the unit fully functional for several days in the event of a power failure. The unit is linked to two separate external alert buttons but has no external antenna and so does not resemble typical satellite communications equipment.
Where SSAS hardware is already installed, other manufacturers hardware can be integrated with Pole Star’s Alert Advanced service.
The following SSAS units can be integrated with the SSAS Alert Advanced service:
- Furuno Felcom 15/16 SSAS
- Satamatics Ocean Alert Mk I/II
- JRC JUE SSAS
- Thrane & Thrane SAILOR TT-3000SSA/6120 mini-C SSAS
- Nera Mini-C SSAS
- Transas Ship Guard v2/3
Ship Security Reporting System (SSRS)
The Ship Security Reporting System (SSRS) is an innovative counter-piracy service that enhances the effectiveness of existing Ship Security Alert Systems by providing a link from a ship sending an alert direct to the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) and UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and onward to EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation Atalanta and associated participating naval forces responsible for maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast.
The SSRS service continuously monitors alerts transmitted by the SSAS onboard subscribed vessels. The system compares the position of the vessel sending the alert to the published MSCHOA / UKMTO Area of Operation and, establishing that the vessel is within the area, routes the alert, which includes the vessel name, report date / time stamp, associated latitude / longitude, and also the IMO number, MMSI, and freeboard and speed, to MSCHOA and UKMTO. Once they confirm the alert is genuine, the updated information is disseminated through the Mercury system which is viewed by all participating task forces.
The alert is copied to the registered Company Security Officer (CSO) as confirmation that it has been disseminated and to provide the CSO with relevant contact details, should he have additional information to communicate.
In the event of a piracy attack, SSAS activation supplements the main piracy reporting procedures set out in Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy. If the crew find themselves under duress and unable to make or receive telephone calls, the SSRS service is an effective, covert method of automatically alerting the military assets faster than via the SSAS alone. However, to maximise the speed of response, it is advised that, whenever possible, the SSAS should be activated in concert with a telephone call to UKMTO.
The SSRS has been designed to integrate seamlessly with existing SSAS equipment installed on all commercial vessels of 500GT and above engaged on international voyages (defined in the ISPS Code, SOLAS XI-1/6).