What is a gangway watchman?
Introduction
In the maritime security sector, there is a common misconception that a gangway watchman is a low-skill job similar to a ‘gatekeeper’. In reality, as a key part of the safety management system that keeps vessels and personnel safe and secure while moored, they are much more than that. By integrating safety checks with security protocols, a gangway watchman will ensure that the Ship Security Officer (SSO) can focus on internal operations, knowing the ‘front door’ is in expert hands.”
Titan Security Europe has been a leading provider of maritime security guards and services in major European ports for some time. In this post, we are providing a full guide to Gangway Watchman Services, including:
What is the strategic importance of the gangway?
Authorised Entry Only
As the bridge between a moored vessel and the land, the gangway is the only authorised point of entry onto the ship, making the gangway watchman an important filter through which every potential threat must pass.
Entry Focal Point
When moored, the gangway is the focal ship entry point. All other entry points are locked. Gangways funnel access to ensure that identity checks, baggage searches, and logging of personnel and goods can be carried out before granting access to the ship.
The SPS Code
Gangway security is not just standard practice; the requirements of the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships (2008) under the Ship Security Plan mandate it.
24/7 Monitoring
Gangways are monitored around the clock. Not only is this a matter of security, but the height of the gangway also needs to be adjusted according to tidal rise and fall for safety reasons.
The gangway watchman will not leave their position until relieved by an authorised replacement. They will communicate with the crew via walkie-talkie.
What are the roles of the gangway watchman?
1. Access Control
At the core of the ISPS Code, the gangway is the one key main entry point. A well-trained gangway watchman strikes a balance by welcoming legitimate visitors while keeping the ship free from unauthorised entry. Understanding when to be welcoming and when an authoritative presence is needed is key to ship safety.
- Positive Identification: Every individual must present a valid, government-issued photo identification or a recognised Seaman’s Book.
- The Pre-Approved List: No person should be allowed to board a vessel without their name appearing on the Expected Arrivals list provided by the Ship Security Officer (SSO) or the port agent.
- The Visitor Badge Protocol: Once verified, visitors should be issued a numbered badge that is then prominently displayed. This allows any crew member on deck to see at a glance that a person on board has been checked and authorised.
2. Gangway and Ship Health and Safety
A professional watchkeeper must also monitor the tension of the mooring lines and the angle of the accommodation ladder. In ports with high tidal ranges, a gangway that was safe in the morning can become a death trap by evening. The gangway watchman is responsible for actively managing the gangway incline. The gangway should be kept clean and tidy and free from obstructions.
Gangway watchmen are responsible for issuing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to visitors from a dedicated kit at the access point. The standard kit box includes at least four helmets, two pairs of safety goggles, and two pairs of gloves. Batteries are kept charged and ready (e.g., spare walkie-talkie battery). Watchmen issue these after verifying IDs, logging visitors and collecting them back in when a visitor leaves the ship.
3. Monitoring Mooring Line Tension and Condition
Gangway watchmen monitor mooring line tension through regular visual inspections from their station at the gangway. They check that lines remain tight and in good condition, especially in ports with significant tidal changes. They also report any slack, fraying, or adjustments needed to the Officer of the Watch.
Mooring lines provide a vessel entry point for hungry rats and mice, which is not a desirable situation at sea. Rat guards are disc-shaped devices fitted onto mooring lines to block rats and rodents from climbing aboard ships while docked.
They create a barrier that rodents can’t grip, preventing infestations that could spread disease or damage cargo and wiring. The gangway watchman will regularly check their presence and condition.
4. Contraband Control
Securing the vessel against the smuggling of prohibited or illegal items aboard protects the shipowner from fines and possibly even ship seizures. Gangway watchmen will carry out searches and baggage inspections even if someone is authorised to board.
- Systematic Searching: Titan guards implement a “1 in 10” random search policy for bags and parcels at Security Level 1. As the ISPS threat level increases to Level 2 or 3, this frequency increases, potentially moving to a 100% search rate.
- Prohibited Items: Beyond the obvious (firearms and explosives), guards are trained to detect “soft” contraband. This includes unauthorised alcohol (in the case of “dry” ships), combustible materials, and narcotics.
- The Deterrence Factor: A uniformed guard conducting professional yet respectful searches acts as a deterrent to those attempting to smuggle items on or off the ship.
5. Record Keeping and Reporting
Maritime law and tradition lean to the idea that if it wasn’t logged, it didn’t happen. As a legal document, the Gangway Log can be used in court or during insurance audits.
The Audit Trail: In the event of an incident of any kind, the Gangway Log is the first thing authorities will examine. A meticulous log maintained by a professional service provides evidence of the vessel’s due diligence.
The “Legible and in Ink” Standard: Gangway watchmen are trained to maintain neat logs, in chronological order, and written in permanent ink. This prevents tampering with the record and ensures that it can be produced for official inspections.
Access Data Integrity: Every entry must include the name, ID type, boarding time, departure time, and the purpose of the visit.
Personnel Accountability: During an emergency, the watchman’s Gangway Log is the only definitive record of exactly who is on board and who has already gone ashore, making it the most critical document for life-saving operations.
6. Emergency Response
In the event of a fire, a man overboard, or a medical emergency, the gangway watchman becomes the ship’s communication coordinator. They are the contact person for shore-side emergency services, directing them to the scene of the incident.
What are the three ISP threat levels?
The ISPS Code defines three security levels to guide maritime threat responses that affect the way a gangway watchman operates. These levels trigger specific measures in a ship’s Security Plan (SSP), like enhanced gangway checks or restricted access.
Level 1 (Normal)
This is the default operating level where minimum protective measures apply at all times, such as routine ID checks, bag searches, and basic patrols by gangway watchmen.
Level 2 (Heightened)
Activated during visible risks, it requires additional attention from the gangway, such as more frequent searches, limiting access points, and closer monitoring of moorings and visitors.
Level 3 (Exceptional)
Reserved for probable or imminent threats, it involves more drastic action such as halting all entry of personnel and cargo, evacuations, or full ship searches, and additional coordination with port authorities.
What are the benefits of contracting out gangway watchman services?
1. Preserving Resources
To remain financially viable, modern shipping operates on minimal crew levels. Contracting out gangway watchman duties to a private security contractor like Titan Security Europe releases pressure on stretched permanent crew.
- Protecting Rest Hours: Having a deckhand to stand an 8-hour gangway watch after a long voyage is inefficient and a violation of STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) rest hour regulations.
- Focus on Core Tasks: By contracting out gangway duties, it leaves the ship’s crew to focus on general operations, ensuring faster turnarounds and reducing the risk of human-error accidents resulting from exhaustion.
2. Financial Protection and Insurance Compliance
The presence of professional, licensed security can reduce the potential for insurance claims that might boost premiums.
- Insurance Approval: Many insurers view professional gangway guarding as a proactive measure. In the event of a stowaway incident or contraband being discovered during an inspection, being able to prove that a professional service was in place demonstrates due diligence.
- Avoiding Fines: The cost of contracting out for a gangway watchman is a fraction of the cost of a fine if a single stowaway reaches a destination country, which could be as much as €50,000 per person.
3. Local Expertise with Global Standards
Titan Security Europe bridges the gap between local port knowledge and international security standards.
- Bilingual Professionals: Our guards are recruited locally in major ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Marseille. They speak the local language, which allows them to de-escalate conflicts and navigate local bureaucracy far more effectively than a foreign crew member.
- The “First Impression” for Authorities: When a customs official steps onto the gangway and is met by a sharp, uniformed security guard who immediately follows protocol, the tone for the entire inspection is set. It signals a vessel that takes compliance seriously.
Key takeaways from this post
- The gangway is the bridge between two maritime scenarios: the security of international shipping on a voyage and resilience against the unpredictable nature of port operations, safety, and security. As a gatekeeper of both security and safety when the ship is moored, the gangway watchman is a specialist and skilled role.
- There is a complex set of rules, regulations and traditions at play. Taking a casual approach to gangway security and safety can result in substantial fines and even prevent the vessel from returning to sea
- Choosing to engage the services of a security contractor like Titan Security Europe does not mean opting for second best. You are choosing over 30 years of maritime excellence. We don’t just “watch” a gangway; we protect your crew, your cargo, and your reputation. Contracting out to professional security saves potential costs and legal issues with no loss of expertise.
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