Q.How can a second engineer help in implementation of ISPS on board ships ?

Broadly, it will depend if the second engineer is the ship security officer or not. In many companies second engineer is the designated ship security officer.

If so then the 2nd engineer need to perform all the duties which includes 

• Regular security inspections on the ship
• Implementation of the ship security plan onboard
• Reporting any security related deficiencies on board to the company security officer
• enhancing security awareness onboard and conducting security training
• Reporting any security related incidents
• Maintaining security equipments

What if we are talking about second engineer's role in implementation of ISPS when he/she is not ship security officer?

Well then the area of responsibility is reduced to only engine room but the responsibilities remains the same. Let us discuss few of these. 

1. Controlling access to the Engine room

Second engineer is responsible for the security aspects in the engine room and as such he must have the control of access into the engine room. This would include that during port stays, he must ensure that there is only one access to the engine room.

2. Controlling access to the key areas such as CO2 room

CO2 can be used as a weapon and 2nd engineer must ensure that the access to it is controlled specially during the port stay. Usually CO2 room is locked with one key in the ECR and other in the CCR.

3. Supervising and handling engine room stores

Other key security area is ship's stores. Second engineer must supervise receiving of the engine stores. He must check that the stores received are as per the invoice and what was ordered.

4. Citadel equipments in place

On most of the ships, engine room or ECR is the designated CITADEL. If so, 2nd engineer must ensure that CITADEL equipments are in place, are working.

Also the ration and water in the citadel is appropriate and as required.  

5. Main engine and other machinary ready to deal with any security incident

And finally, the second engineer must ensure that the main engine and other ship's machinary is maintained in good working order to deal with any security incident.

For example, fire pumps are required to give good water pressure as a deterrance for access to the ship. Main engines are required to operate at MCR when passing high risk area.

Auxilary engines and main engine are required to withstand the load of sudden course alterations in case of a pirate attack. 

All these equipments must be able to work at their optimum capacity.

Maintaining these machineries contributes towards the ISPS duties of the second engineer.