ISPS Code Compliance Notice Sign – ISPS0030

ISPS Code Compliance Notice Sign – ISPS0030

This ISPS Code compliance notice sign (ISPS0030) is the standard boarding-point notice informing everyone who comes aboard that the vessel operates strict security measures and procedures under the ISPS Code. Worded “This Ship Complies with the I.M.O. ISPS Code,” it sets out in plain terms what visitors, contractors, agents and port officials can expect the moment they step onto the gangway: no offensive weapons are allowed, all visitors will be met on deck and must register onboard with photographic identification, and they may be subject to personal or baggage searches. It closes with a direct statement of expectation, signed off by the Master, that co-operation is required in compliance with maritime security requirements.

Within Safety Sign Hub’s ISPA Signs range, ISPS0030 (IMPA 33.3140 / ISSA 47.531.40) is one of the primary boarding-point notices fitted at the head of the gangway or accommodation ladder, alongside reporting and reception signage. Rather than directing a person to a specific desk or officer, this sign performs a broader compliance function: it puts every arriving person on notice, before they take a single step further, that the ship is operating under its approved Ship Security Plan (SSP) and that ID checks and searches are a normal and expected part of boarding.

Produced on rigid marine-grade board or self-adhesive vinyl, the ISPS Code compliance notice sign is built to stay legible through continuous UV exposure, salt spray and the general wear of a gangway platform. A photoluminescent option is available where boarding points are used during night watches or in poorly lit port berths.

Why an ISPS Code Compliance Notice Sign Matters

Boarding procedures only work if every person who comes aboard understands the rules before they reach the deck. Without a clearly posted compliance notice, a visitor, agent or contractor arriving at a busy port call has no way of knowing that identification checks, baggage searches or personal searches are standard practice on that vessel, which can turn a routine security check into a confrontation or a delay. Displaying this sign at the boarding point sets expectations in advance, reduces friction between the gangway watch and arriving personnel, and gives the ship a documented, visible statement of its ISPS compliance posture that Port State Control and terminal security staff can see at a glance.

Compliance and Certification

This is maritime security signage, not an ISO 7010 hazard pictogram, and should not be represented as one. It is produced in line with the ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, part of SOLAS Chapter XI-2) and general IMO guidance on maritime security notices. The exact wording and boarding-point procedures it references should match what is documented in the vessel’s Ship Security Plan (SSP), with content and placement typically signed off by the Ship Security Officer (SSO) or Company Security Officer (CSO). During ISPS audits and Port State Control inspections, boarding-point signage is routinely checked against the approved Security Plan, so keeping this notice current and legible is a practical compliance step, not just good housekeeping.

Installation Recommendations

Mount the sign at eye level at the top of the gangway or accommodation ladder, angled so it faces anyone boarding before they reach the main deck. Secure it to a flat section of bulkhead, rail post or purpose-built stand using marine-grade fasteners or adhesive rated for vibration and salt exposure, and keep the area around it clear of mooring lines, fenders or safety nets.

• Rigid marine-grade board or self-adhesive vinyl construction for gangway and weather-deck mounting
• UV- and saltwater-resistant printing for long-term legibility in exposed boarding areas
• Reproduces standard IMPA 33.3140 / ISSA 47.531.40 wording for fleet-wide consistency
• Photoluminescent option available for gangways used during night watches or in low-light berths
• Sized for gangway platforms, accommodation ladders and vehicle or pedestrian boarding points

Order the ISPS0030 ISPS Code compliance notice sign from Safety Sign Hub’s ISPA Signs range to give every person boarding a clear statement of your vessel’s security requirements, and pair it with a reporting sign such as ISPS0012 or a restricted-area sign for zones beyond the boarding point, or browse our Mandatory Signs for further access-control signage across the ship.