No Weapons Sign

No Weapons Sign

A no weapons sign is an ISO 7010 prohibition pictogram displayed at access points aboard ships and within port facilities to make clear that firearms, knives and other weapons are not permitted beyond that point. Rendered as a red circle with a diagonal bar over a black pistol icon on a white background, this no weapons sign communicates a strict access rule instantly, without relying on any particular language, which matters greatly where crew, agents, contractors and visitors from many nationalities pass through the same gangway or gate.

Vessel operators and terminal managers use a no weapons sign to reinforce standing company policy at the top of the accommodation ladder, at crew access gates, near administrative offices and at the entrance to secure storage areas. Even where weapons are already prohibited by company regulations or port bylaws, a visible no weapons sign provides an unambiguous, easily photographed record that the rule was clearly posted, supporting good governance and consistent enforcement across a fleet or terminal. The pictogram format also means a single sign is understood the same way whether the vessel is crewed internationally or the terminal receives visitors from overseas.

Recognised trade codes for fast ordering

This no weapons sign is listed under IMPA 33.2419 and ISSA 47.524.19, the marine trade codes used by ship chandlers and vessel operators to specify exactly the item required when restocking signage during a port call, dry dock or annual compliance check. Quoting these codes together with SKU PS0016 lets a supplier confirm the correct sign without back-and-forth, which is especially useful when signage needs to be replaced quickly ahead of a survey or inspection.

Consistency also matters for larger fleets and managed vessels, where crew regularly transfer between ships. A no weapons sign that looks the same on every vessel, because it was ordered against the same IMPA and ISSA reference each time, reinforces the same policy message wherever a seafarer is posted, rather than leaving each vessel to source a locally printed or slightly different notice that could be interpreted as a less serious rule.

Built for the marine environment

Safety Sign Hub manufactures every no weapons sign from a fire-retardant, photoluminescent material designed to cope with salt air, humidity and constant handling aboard a working vessel. The photoluminescent pigment glows in the dark after charging under normal lighting, so the sign stays legible during a blackout or emergency power loss, when clear access rules matter as much as ever. The pictogram design follows the conventions described in the ISO 7010 standard for graphical safety symbols, giving this no weapons sign a consistent, recognisable appearance across different manufacturers and fleets. Fitting a compliant no weapons sign at every relevant access point is a simple, low-cost step toward maintaining clear, consistently enforced access rules on board.

Where to fit this sign for best effect

The most effective placement for a no weapons sign is at the very first point of contact between a visitor and the vessel or facility, rather than further inside where the rule has already been broken if it applies. This typically means the gangway watch station, the security checkpoint at a terminal gate, or the door of the office where visitors sign in before proceeding further. Fitting the sign at these entry points, alongside any verbal briefing already given by gangway or security staff, gives the rule maximum visibility at the moment it matters most, and provides a clear, photographable record that the restriction was properly communicated should it ever need to be referenced later.

Because a no weapons sign relies on a simple, internationally recognised pictogram rather than lengthy text, it remains effective even where a visitor cannot read the language used in any accompanying signage, which is a realistic scenario in busy international ports handling vessels and crews from dozens of different countries in a single week.

Browse our full range of prohibition signs for more IMO-compliant maritime safety signage.