In December 2003, the Australian Government passed the Maritime Transportation Security Act 2003 and regulations.

The purpose of the Act is to safeguard against unlawful interference with maritime transport. To achieve this purpose, the Act establishes a regulatory framework centred around the development of security plans for ships and other maritime transport operations.

To comply with this legislation, Flinders Ports must provide a secure working environment, by establishing and maintaining the required security measures to prevent unlawful acts against the company, its facilities or berthed or adjacent ships which endanger the safety and security of persons and property.

DOTARS (the Department of Transport and Regional Services) is responsible for implementation of the International Maritime Organisation requirements for port and port facility security.

For more information on Security Upgrades please visit their website.

http://www.dotars.gov.au

Suspicious Activity - notice, report and resolve

OTS (Office of Transport Security) is responsible for ensuring industry participants are aware of the importance of reporting and/or resolving any unusual/suspicious event or activity that occurs in their operating environment.

A significant number of major terrorist attacks were marked by employees or bystanders in the attack environment before the event. These people later stated that their suspicions had been raised by some unusual activity, which in hindsight was the perpetrators conducting pre-attack intelligence. Because the activity is often mundane, albeit unusual, it often goes unreported at the time.

On the day of the Madrid train bombing in 2004, a man stood in his flat and watched masked men carry backpacks from a white van into the railway station. Because it was a hot day he wondered why they wore balaclavas and considered reporting the matter to the police. We can only wonder what the outcome would have been that day if he done so.

A culture of security awareness promotes and encourages the identification and resolution of suspicious activity, and creates a secure environment for both staff and customers.

Terrorists often work to a carefully considered plan, but there are times when the nature of their operations renders them vulnerable. This can occur when they conduct pre-operational surveillance, scoping and target identification. These situations give staff and customers an opportunity to notice, report and resolve any unusual activity.

Examples of suspicious behaviour can include:

• watching, observing, photographing, sketching, measuring and note-taking
• examining or enquiring about security systems and guarding
• visiting airports/ports/train stations and not conducting ‘normal’ business
• lurking around critical airport infrastructure or assets
• being in non-public areas without a verifiable excuse (beware of seemingly convincing cover stories)
• enquiring about transport related work that does not exist
• creating distractions at times critical to operations
• insisting on urgency in apparently benign conditions
• attempting to circumvent security measures or procedures
• attempting to conceal baggage or avoiding scrutiny of it
• using or carrying innocent items that could mask more sinister items, e.g. a children's toy filled with explosives
• presenting suspect ID (it might be worn or photocopied/photographed).

Unusual behaviour, that cannot be explained, should be reported to company security officers and/or police. Particular attention should be paid to details such as names and descriptions of suspicious persons and vessel/vehicle identification markers.

All suspicious activity should be reported to the National Security Hotline by phoning 1800 123 400.

Maritime Transport Security Legislation
2004 Marine Transport Security Legislation

Declaration Of Security
Declaration of Security

Security Levels

Level 1
Normal. Electronic Access and surveillance security measures.

Level 2
Heightened. Increased security measures such as manned access gates.

Level 3
Exceptional. Specific maximum security measures implemented.

Interested parties will be advised of any change in security levels via the Flinders Ports website, emails, faxes and any other means deemed necessary to effectively implement a change in security level