ISPS Straight Arrow Sign – ISPS0013

ISPS Straight Arrow Sign – ISPS0013

The ISPS straight arrow sign is a directional wayfinding sign used to guide crew, personnel and visitors along an approved route within a designated security zone under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. As part of a ship’s or port facility’s overall access control and movement management arrangements, an ISPS straight arrow sign ensures that anyone authorised to be within a Restricted Area follows the correct path to a muster point, checkpoint, or security office without deviating into areas outside their clearance.

Under SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, every ship and port facility operating internationally must implement an approved Ship Security Plan (SSP) or Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP). These plans set out the physical security measures, access control procedures and monitoring arrangements required to prevent unauthorised access and to protect against acts that threaten the security of ships and port facilities. Directional signage, including the ISPS straight arrow sign, forms a practical part of implementing these plans: it translates a written security procedure into a clear, unambiguous physical instruction that can be understood at a glance, in poor visibility, and by personnel unfamiliar with the layout of a vessel or terminal.

Where to install this sign

The ISPS straight arrow sign is typically installed at corridor junctions, gangways, cargo handling areas, and along perimeter fence lines where a straight-ahead route must be indicated rather than a turn. It complements angled arrow variants and other ISPS access control signage, including restricted access, do-not-enter, reporting-point and checkpoint signs, to build a complete wayfinding system across a ship or port facility. Consistent use of directional signage reduces the likelihood of individuals wandering into restricted areas by mistake, which in turn reduces the workload on the Ship Security Officer (SSO), Company Security Officer (CSO) and Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) responsible for monitoring compliance.

Each ISPS straight arrow sign supplied by Safety Sign Hub is manufactured from fire-retardant, photoluminescent material, so the sign remains visible during a loss of main lighting. This is an important consideration given that many of the areas covered by an SSP or PFSP, such as engine rooms, cargo holds and below-deck passageways, may not have reliable emergency lighting coverage in every location. The photoluminescent backing charges under normal ambient lighting and glows for an extended period in the dark, helping to maintain safe and secure wayfinding even during a power failure, blackout drill, or security exercise.

IMPA and ISSA reference

This ISPS straight arrow sign is supplied against the IMPA and ISSA marine catalogue codes used for procurement by ship chandlers, ship managers and port facility operators worldwide, making it straightforward to specify and order as part of a wider signage package during dry dock, newbuild outfitting, or a routine ISPS compliance audit. Fitting an ISPS straight arrow sign at every point where a route decision is required is a low-cost way to demonstrate that a facility’s approved security plan has been translated into a physical, on-the-ground control rather than left as a document on a shelf. Other sizes and mounting options are available on request.

Every sign in this range is built to withstand the marine environment: the substrate resists salt spray, UV exposure and the temperature swings common on open decks and exposed gangways, so the sign continues to perform after months of service rather than fading or delaminating. Because the design follows a recognisable, consistent arrow format across the whole ISPS signage set, crew and visiting personnel can learn the system once and rely on it moving between vessels, terminals and facilities operated by different companies. This consistency is itself a security benefit, reducing hesitation and confusion at exactly the points where a security plan depends on people following the correct route without delay.

For the full requirements covering ship and port facility security planning, refer to the IMO’s official ISPS Code reference page.