ABSTRACT

The passenger cruise vessels docked in the port may hold as many as 3000–4000 passengers and crew each, and these are not the largest ones in the market. Potential threats to the vessel become threats to the port facility. The port facility security officer's (FSO) management of security requirements for in-port vessel operations must be approached from the perspective of coordinated risk reduction: how can the port FSO synchronize efforts with vessel security officers (VSOs) and the terminal security officer (TSO) to reduce risks from international terrorism, general criminal activity, and natural and manmade hazards? The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, passed in 2010, requires large cruise vessels that embark and disembark in the United States to implement basic reporting, safety, and security measures. The port FSO must ensure that respective vessel and port facility security responsibilities are clearly articulated via an agreement on the contents of the Declaration of Security (DoS).