| ALL PORTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS | LEVEL 1 |
| ALL SHIPS UNDER CYPRUS FLAG | LEVEL 1 |
NOTES FOR CYPRUS FLAG SHIPS
1. All Cyprus flag ships to which Chapter XI-2 applies shall maintain security level 2, when approaching/entering the sea area and ports of Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Malacca Straits and Gulf of Aden, while in any other sea area shall maintain security level 1. The aforesaid instructions do not preclude the master to take appropriate security measures in any other sea area, when it may be deemed necessary, based on his own judgment (Circular 29/2004).
2. Masters of Cyprus ships to take appropriate security measures when sailing off Somalia coast, including the reduction of radio transmitting activities as much as possible as piracy attacks with the use of heavy guns have been reported beyond 100 nautical miles off Somalia coast (Circular 34/2005).
3. The Department of Merchant Shipping, as a result of the escalating crisis in Lebanon and the imposed military blockade by the Government of Israel on Lebanese ports and adjacent waters with the affected coordinates being 034 05N and 33 06 N and East of 034 00E to the coast line (covering the coast of Lebanon including the port of Beirut), wishes to inform and advise all Masters of Cyprus flag ships of the following (Circular 15/2006):
1) Due vigilance and caution must be exercised while approaching the above mentioned area of the Eastern Mediterranean and approach this area only if absolutely necessary;
2) Follow and adapt to the Security Levels of Ports in the area and take all appropriate measures necessary as per the Ship Security Plans of Cyprus flag ships and the provisions of the International Ship Security and Port Facility Code (ISPS).
3) Follow the instructions of any naval ships in the area.
What are the different security levels referred to in the ISPS Code?
Security level 1: normal, the level at which the ship or port facility normally operates. Security level 1 means the level for which minimum appropriate protective security measures shall be maintained at all times.
Security level 2: heightened, the level applying for as long as there is a heightened risk of a security incident. Security level 2 means the level for which appropriate additional protective security measures shall be maintained for a period of time as a result of heightened risk of a security incident.
Security level 3: exceptional, the level applying for the period of time when there is the probable or imminent risk of a security incident. Security level 3 means the level for which further specific protective security measures shall be maintained for a limited period of time when a security incident is probable or imminent, although it may not be possible to identify the specific target.
Setting security level 3 should be an exceptional measure applying only when there is credible information that a security incident is probable or imminent. Security level 3 should only be set for the duration of the identified security threat or actual security incident. While the security levels may change from security level 1, through security level 2 to security level 3, it is also possible that the security levels will change directly from security level 1 to security level 3.