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Key Facts: STCW Ship Security Officer Exam
VI/5
STCW Regulation for SSO
STCW Regulation VI/5, Table A-VI/5
3
ISPS Security Levels
SOLAS XI-2 / ISPS Code
~3 days
Typical SSO Course Length
IMO Model Course 3.19
~12 months
Typical Sea-Service Prerequisite
Approved SSO course entry requirements
500 GT
SSAS Required From
SOLAS XI-2 Regulation 6
~70%
Common Written Pass Mark
Provider final exams
100
Practice Questions Here
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The STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificate is an officer-level maritime security credential under STCW Regulation VI/5 and Table A-VI/5, taught against IMO Model Course 3.19 and underpinning SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code. Candidates typically need about 12 months of approved seagoing service, complete a roughly 3-day (24-hour) approved course, and pass a short provider-set written exam, commonly around 20 multiple-choice questions at about 70%. The syllabus covers maintaining and supervising the Ship Security Plan (amendments, confidentiality, security records); assessing security risk, threat and vulnerability (ship security assessments, on-scene surveys, piracy and armed-robbery tactics, weapon-effects awareness, citadels, bomb threats); regular security inspections (access control, restricted areas, stowaway prevention, ship searches); security equipment such as the SSAS, CCTV and AIS aspects; encouraging crew security awareness through drills and training; and ISPS/SOLAS XI-2 duties including the three security levels, the Declaration of Security, the ISSC, CSO/PFSO liaison, the master's overriding authority, and port state control of security.
Sample STCW Ship Security Officer Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the STCW Ship Security Officer exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under the ISPS Code, who is primarily responsible on board for the implementation and maintenance of the Ship Security Plan (SSP)?
2How many security levels are defined by the ISPS Code, and what does Security Level 1 represent?
3A Declaration of Security (DoS) is best described as:
4Which international instrument makes the ISPS Code mandatory for ships engaged on international voyages?
5To which vessels does the ISPS Code apply when they are engaged on international voyages?
6When the ship is operating at Security Level 1, what does the SSP require regarding the control of access to the ship?
7A ship security assessment (SSA) is intended to identify which of the following on board?
8The Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) is designed to:
9Which vessels are required to be fitted with a Ship Security Alert System under SOLAS XI-2 Regulation 6?
10When a Declaration of Security has been completed for a ship/port interface, how should the SSO treat the document?
About the STCW Ship Security Officer Exam
The STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificate of proficiency certifies the officer designated on board, accountable to the master, who implements and maintains the ship's approved Ship Security Plan. The competence is set out in STCW Regulation VI/5 and Table A-VI/5 and is taught against IMO Model Course 3.19, supporting SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code. Candidates normally have about 12 months of approved seagoing service, complete a roughly 3-day approved course, and pass a written final exam. SSO competence also satisfies the lower security-awareness and designated-security-duties training requirements.
Exam sponsor: IMO STCW framework, delivered by flag-State-approved maritime training centers. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Question count not published by the exam provider
Time Limit
Course typically about 3 days / 24 hours; short written final exam
Passing Score
Provider-set, commonly around 70% on the written final exam
Exam / Certification Fees
No central exam fee; approved SSO courses commonly cost about $150-$450 depending on the training center
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Maintain and Supervise the Ship Security Plan
Implementing and amending the SSP, protecting it from unauthorized disclosure, keeping security records and observing retention, conducting internal security audits, and driving continual improvement.
Assess Security Risk, Threat and Vulnerability
Ship security assessments and on-scene surveys, threat recognition including piracy and armed-robbery tactics, weapon-effects awareness, citadels, bomb-threat handling with the 4 Cs, and the threat-vulnerability-consequence risk model.
Undertake Regular Security Inspections
Access control and screening of persons, baggage, stores and cargo, restricted areas and key control, deck and overside checks, stowaway prevention, ship-to-ship interfaces, and pre-departure ship searches.
Security Equipment and Systems
Operating and covert-alerting with the Ship Security Alert System and its activation points, CCTV, security lighting and alarms, AIS security aspects, and the testing, calibration and maintenance of security equipment.
Encourage Security Awareness and Vigilance
Security training for crew, drills (about every three months) and exercises, familiarization of new joiners, passenger security information, and building a prompt-reporting security culture.
ISPS / SOLAS XI-2 Responsibilities
The three ISPS security levels, the Declaration of Security, the International Ship Security Certificate, CSO and PFSO liaison, the master's overriding authority, pre-arrival reporting, and port state control of security.
Preparing for the STCW Ship Security Officer Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Provider-set, commonly around 70% on the written final exam
- Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
- Time limit: Course typically about 3 days / 24 hours; short written final exam
- Exam / certification fees: No central exam fee; approved SSO courses commonly cost about $150-$450 depending on the training center Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
STCW Ship Security Officer: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the STCW Ship Security Officer (SSO) certificate?
It is the officer-level maritime security certificate of proficiency required for the person designated on board, accountable to the master, who implements and maintains the ship's approved Ship Security Plan. The competence is set in STCW Regulation VI/5 and Table A-VI/5 and supports SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code.
How long is the SSO course and how is it assessed?
Approved SSO courses based on IMO Model Course 3.19 typically run about three days (around 24 hours) at a flag-State-approved training center and conclude with a written final exam. There is no single international question count, but provider exams are commonly around 20 multiple-choice questions at about a 70% pass mark.
What sea service do I need before becoming an SSO?
Candidates are generally expected to have approximately 12 months of approved seagoing service, or equivalent appropriate sea service, in addition to completing the approved SSO course. The SSO need not be the master, but it is an officer-level competence rather than an entry-level one.
What are the three ISPS security levels?
Security Level 1 is normal, with minimum protective measures maintained at all times. Level 2 is heightened, requiring additional measures for a defined period of increased risk. Level 3 is exceptional, the highest alert when a security incident is probable or imminent. Contracting Governments set and communicate the level to ships.
What is a Declaration of Security (DoS)?
A DoS is an agreement between a ship and a port facility, or between two ships, that specifies the security measures each will implement during their interface. It is typically required when a Contracting Government calls for it, when one party operates at a higher security level than the other, or when the interface poses a higher risk.
What is the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)?
The SSAS, required by SOLAS XI-2 Regulation 6, transmits a covert security alert ashore to a competent authority, usually the flag State, indicating the ship's security is under threat or compromised. It does not sound any alarm on board and does not alert ships in the vicinity, and it must have activation points including one on the bridge.
Does the SSO certificate cover security-awareness training too?
Yes. The SSO is the higher security competence and generally encompasses and satisfies the lower requirements for security awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) and designated security duties (STCW A-VI/6-2), since those topics are included within the SSO syllabus.