Vessel Security Officer
UPDATED VSO Information
STCW and USCG CFR regulations now require all personnel to have a security endorsement on their credential commensurate with their respective duties onboard as of 1/1/2014
The 3 levels of endorsement are as follows:
- Vessel Security Officer (VSO)- 46CFR 11.337, STCW Reg VI/5- Required for those assigned and designated as the vessel security officer.
- Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties (VPDSD)-46 CFR 12.625, STCW VI/6-Required for anyone with a specific security onboard
- Security Awareness (SA)-46 CFR 12.627, STCW VI/6- Required of all personnel with no security duties onboard.
These endorsements are hierarchical with VSO as the highest level. Per USCG someone endorsed as VSO is also endorsed as VPDSD and SA.
All officers (deck and engine) generally have specific security duties Vessel Security Plan and related procedures. As a result AMO contracted companies will require officers to have a VPDSD endorsement on their MMC in order to be assigned onboard. STAR Center's Vessel Security Officer Course meets all requirements for VSO and VPDSD endorsements.
See STAR Center's Course schedule for VSO course dates.
USCG NMC checklists for each security endorsement provide additional information.
Retroactive VSO Course Approval Information
STAR Center is pleased to announce that we have received retroactive United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval and STCW 95 compliance for our Vessel (Ship) and Company Security Officer course for all students who have taken our course since 1 January 2003. Please click here to download the approval. The letter from DNV gives approval from 2003 to 31 May 2005.
The USCG website shows our current course approval. Click here for the appropriate section of the USCG Website, type "vessel..." from the drop-down list and then click on "STAR Center".
Please submit any questions or concerns you may have to us through our Contact page