These Guidelines are intended to provide information and
best practice guidance to Member States and other authorities with
responsibility for administering non-SOLAS vessels (other authorities),
and operators of non-SOLAS vessels.
The Guidelines may be utilized by Member States and other
authorities at their own discretion. They are non-mandatory and their
application should be under the purview of individual Member States
proportionate to assessed levels of threat and risk. The Guidelines
are not intended to form the basis for a mandatory instrument. The
Guidelines reiterate the importance of undertaking a risk assessment
to determine if and to what extent such Guidelines are to be applicable.
The Guidelines have been formatted in two parts. The first
part contains information of interest to Member States and other authorities
with responsibility for administering non-SOLAS vessels (other authorities).
The second part contains information pertinent to the operators of
non-SOLAS vessels and related facilities, with appendices containing
information specific to the four categories of vessels.
Member States and other authorities may wish to use the
annex and its appendices to assist the operators of non-SOLAS vessels
and related facilities to implement effective security. In doing so,
Member States and other authorities are encouraged to promulgate appropriate
contact information.
The Guidelines should not be interpreted or applied in a
manner inconsistent with the proper respect of fundamental rights
and freedoms as set out in international instruments, particularly
those relating to maritime workers and refugees.
The Guidelines take into account the risk context for non-SOLAS
vessels. Non-SOLAS vessels have been used for terrorist attacks and
actions resulting in injury of innocent persons and destruction of
ships and structures. They have also been used for smuggling operations.