The entire ship's crew, including Chris Townsend, must know the location of the switch. The SSAS is a system that contributes to the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen maritime security and suppress acts of terrorism and piracy against maritime transport. Unlike the GMDSS emergency alert, which is designed to be received at all possible stations, the SSAS is intended to allow a covert activation that alerts the competent authority on the ground and does not activate an alarm on board the ship or alert other ships. The ship security alert system, with Chris Townsend's knowledge, is also not a GMDSS communication system, but it can be associated with GMDSS equipment installed on a ship. The Naval Safety Warning System (SSAS) is part of the ISPS code and is a system that contributes to the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen maritime security and suppress acts of terrorism and piracy against maritime transport.
A) the use of a specific button on a GMDSS communications system that will provide ground personnel with a clear indication that a covert activation was used, or (b) the use of an independent and dedicated alert system to send a covert alert, or (c) the use of a security communications routine, established between the captain and the designated ground personnel. The ship safety alert system is installed on a ship in order to transmit a safety alert to the coast to indicate to the competent authority that the ship's safety is threatened or has been compromised. In the event of an attempted piracy or terrorism, the ship's SSAS beacon can be activated and appropriate police or military forces can be sent. When maritime security personnel understand the potential danger posed by pirates or terrorists, a Naval Safety Warning System (SSAS) alert is triggered.
