Entry & progression
Governing: 46 CFR 11.337, 12.625, 12.627; 33 CFR 104.105, 104.215–104.225; NMC checklist MCP-FM-NMC5-218 (03) (3 Feb 2022); NMC STCW FAQ (6 Dec 2022); NVIC 21-14. Builds on: L1.1. Content: MCA Security courses in the xplor library.
Three tiers
| Endorsement | CFR | Knowledge standard | STCW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Awareness (SA) | 12.627 | 33 CFR 104.225 – all other vessel personnel | A-VI/6-1 |
| Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD) | 12.625 | 33 CFR 104.220 – personnel with security duties | A-VI/6-2 |
| Vessel Security Officer (VSO) | 11.337 | 33 CFR 104.215 – VSO | A-VI/5 |
Security Awareness and VPDSD
Both sections have the same structure:
- Documentary evidence – “such as a certificate or letter signed by a company official, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course”, showing the Part 104 knowledge;
- the physical examination requirements of Part 10 subpart C;
- safety and suitability and National Driver Register checks, unless met within the previous 5 years for another endorsement.
The 2014 grandfathering routes in 12.625(b) and 12.627(b) (6 months security service in 3 years) closed on 24 March 2014.
The NMC STCW FAQ: “BT is not required for Security Awareness (SA) or Vessel Personnel with Designated security Duties (VPDSD).”
What the knowledge covers
- 104.225 (all personnel): the Vessel Security Plan provisions relevant to them; MARSEC levels and their emergency procedures; recognising dangerous substances and devices; recognising behaviour of persons likely to threaten security; techniques used to circumvent security measures.
- 104.220 (security duties): current threats and patterns; detection of dangerous substances and devices; behavioural recognition; circumvention techniques; crowd management and control; and more. These personnel must also maintain a TWIC.
Vessel Security Officer
11.337: documentary evidence under 33 CFR 104.215, the medical standard, and safety and suitability. 104.215(a)(2): “For manned vessels, the VSO must be the Master or a member of the crew.”
The NMC VSO checklist (03) lists:
- a CG-accepted or approved VSO course;
- sea service by one of several routes, for example 360 days, or 180 days with documented knowledge, or 180 days for a holder of an officer endorsement of 100 GRT or more;
- a national endorsement as Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper, Steward (FH) or higher, US citizenship and age 18.
CAUTION – Old VSO endorsements The checklist notes that some VSO endorsements were issued without a national endorsement. To renew, the holder must first obtain at least an entry-level MMC endorsement.
Does a yacht need any of this?
33 CFR 104.105 applies vessel security plans to, among others, SOLAS passenger and cargo ships, passenger vessels certificated for more than 150 passengers, and passenger vessels carrying more than 12 passengers on an international voyage. A typical charter yacht carrying 12 or fewer guests is not on the list, so it has no Part 104 VSP and no VSO.
The NMC FAQ nevertheless says the security endorsements are needed by “all mariners serving on a vessel to which the STCW applies”. On an STCW yacht, plan on Security Awareness for everyone and VPDSD for anyone with designated security duties in the yacht’s ISPS or SMS arrangements.
WARNING – Company letter or course? A company letter is acceptable evidence for SA and VPDSD, but only if it shows the Part 104 knowledge. A one-line “has completed security familiarisation” letter will not do.
TIP – VPDSD covers SA VPDSD training includes the SA content. A deck crew member likely to take on gangway or security rounds should take VPDSD from the start.