APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Drill No. D422

Category Emergency Response
Type Contingencies
Subject Bomb threat
Security Level 1 to 3
References 1. Port Facility Security Plan
2. Relevant Port Facility security instructions,
regulations and memorandums
3. APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and
Exercises Vol I Part 1 – Guidelines for the Conduct of
Maritime Security Drills
4. ISPS Code

INTRODUCTION

1. The threat of a bomb on the premises is one of the greatest security concerns of
any organization. Port Facilities may be vulnerable to such threats because they often
experience a considerable amount of traffic throughput as a routine aspect of their
operation. A bomb threat communicated to any Port Facility must be handled
competently with utmost urgency and it is therefore important to practice the
procedures relating to a bomb threat regularly to ensure personnel are familiar with
the processes. With the emphasis placed by terrorists on human targets for maximum
media exposure, Port Facilities handling passengers must be especially well-prepared.

2. A simulated terrorist improvised explosive device will be planted in the Port

Facility by controllers. This drill will require Port Facility staff to respond to a
telephoned bomb threat, instituting additional security measures, etc. as dictated by
the Port Facility Security Plan.

AIM OF THE DRILL

3. General Objective

To practice the Port Facility’s response to a bomb threat.

4. Specific Objectives

a. To validate the procedures for security responses to a bomb threat.

b. To practise security staff in responding to a bomb threat.

c. To raise the awareness of Port Facility staff to a bomb threat.

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

d. Meet or better the specified benchmark response times for this drill.

REQUIRED ATTAINMENTS

5. On completion of the drill, Port Facility security staff will be able to:

a. Perform the specified procedures in response to a bomb threat.

b. Provide feedback to refine, update and improve the procedures.

c. Recognize the gravity of a bomb threat to the Port Facility.

PLANNING FOR THE DRILL

6. Timetable

a. The date for the conduct of this drill should be scheduled in the Port
Facility’s annual work program. Preparations for this drill should commence 2
weeks prior to the date of conduct. An example of a time-table for the
preparation and conduct of this drill is given in Appendix 1.

b. This drill has the potential to paralyze normal Port Facility operations.
Thus careful selection of the date with this in mind, or an arrangement for a
fraction of the staff to participate [see paragraph 7b(2)] will be required.

7. Personnel

a. Control Team

(1) Chief Controller: The Chief Controller may be the Port Facility
Security Officer (PFSO) or a manager in charge of security matters.
Where the first line response by security staff involves the PFSO, a
manager should be considered for the appointment of Chief Controller.
This will free the PFSO to respond to the situation as it develops during
the drill.

(2) Controllers: The Chief Controller should arrange for a

representative each from departments that may be more significantly
affected by a bomb threat, to be controllers. However, these
representatives should not be the persons primarily responsible for
implementing security measures against the bomb threat.

b. Participants

(1) It is essential that all Port Facility staff be familiar with the
procedures associated with a bomb threat, thus all Port Facility staff
should participate.

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(2) Where Port Facility operations cannot be disrupted by the conduct

of such an all-encompassing drill, arrangements should be made to
conduct the drill for a part of the staff each time.

c. Safety Officer

The appointment of a safety officer for this drill should be considered.

8. Resources

a. Simulated bomb

The Chief Controller will arrange for a simulated bomb to be prepared for the
drill. This may comprise a parcel or box of about 2 – 3 kg weight, gift-wrapped
as a disguise, and carried in a shopping bag. The bag should be placed in a high
human traffic area and should not be too well hidden.

a. Communications

(1) Local Authority – The communications link and points of contact

for reporting of a bomb threat should be checked, and advised of the
impending conduct of the drill. Assurances of an adequate response by
local authority in the event of an actual bomb threat should also be
verified.

(2) Equipment – Normal Port Facility staff communications means

will be used.

(3) Code words

Code words are used to provide brevity and clarity in communications

during the conduct of a drill. A list of suggested code words is given in
Appendix 2. The code words must be promulgated to all controllers and
participants of the drill.

(4) Security

Consideration should be given to the possible disclosure of confidential

information (e.g. details in the PFSP) in all exchanges connected with this
drill, and appropriate precautions taken to avoid the release of such
information to persons not authorized to receive it.

b. Other requirements

(1) Location for the debrief.

(2) Refreshments e.g. during the debrief.
(3) Person to take notes during the debrief.
(4) Stationery for note-taking.

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9. Safety

Staff activity in connection with this drill would be monitored by the Safety Officer, if
one is appointed. The Safety Officer should station himself at a location where he
would be:
a. Able to observe the majority of events

b. In close proximity where potentially hazardous activity is to take place

c. Accessible should he be required in a contingency

10. Budget

Funding may be needed for the following:

a. Providing the simulated bomb.

b. Refreshments for the debrief.
c. Reimbursement of expenses incurred by controllers or participants.

11. Policy for disclosure

a. The Chief Controller should decide if the drill is to be announced (i.e.

participants such as security staff will be notified of the conduct of the drill) or
the conduct of the drill will not be announced beforehand (i.e. the participants
will not be informed of the conduct of the drill).

b. In deciding the mode, the following may be taken into consideration:

(1) Security - Where it is assessed that confidentiality is uncertain or

difficult to maintain, it is preferable to opt for an announced drill.

(2) Organizational culture - Unannounced drills may be perceived as a

test of the participants.

(3) Ships at the Port Facility - Where it is anticipated that the drill may
impact in any way on ships alongside, their crew, agents, suppliers or
contractors, ships alongside should be notified in advance.

12. Management endorsement

The Chief Controller should seek approval from management for the conduct of the
drill. Management should be informed of the drill prior to its conduct, even if formal
approval is not required.

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

CONDUCTING THE DRILL

13. Master Events List

a. The simulated bomb will be planted surreptitiously by a controller, in a

high human traffic area. The manner in which the “bomb” arrived within the
Port Facility is not pertinent to this drill and need not be discussed. The drill
will begin with a bomb threat telephoned to the Port Facility Security Officer by
a controller. The Port Facility staff will be required to respond to the bomb
threat, instituting additional security measures, etc. as dictated by the Port
Facility Security Plan.

b. The “injects” (simulated events) for the conduct of the drill are provided
in the example of a Master Events List at Appendix 3. These would be
introduced on schedule or on completion of the preceding event. Adjustments
would be made to cater to the prevailing circumstances.

14. Controller briefing

a. The briefing to controllers will be conducted by the Chief Controller and

should include the following:

(1) Roles to be played by controllers.

(2) Positions of controllers at the commencement of the drill.
(3) Transport arrangements.
(4) Suggested responses to questioning by security staff.
(5) Safety measures.

b. Scenario

A bomb threat has been received by the PFSO via a telephone call. The caller
stated that a bomb in a shopping bag has been placed in the Port Facility where
it would kill “many people”, but the caller did not state exactly where or when it
would detonate.

c. Tasks

(1) The Chief Controller will place the shopping bag in a suitable
location and initiate the “bomb threat” with a written note to the PFSO
simulating the phone call.

(2) The Chief Controller will conduct the drill in accordance with the
events listed in the Master Events List.

(3) The Chief Controller and controllers should position themselves at

suitable locations to discreetly observe the proceedings.

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15. Participant briefing

a. A briefing to participants should be scheduled if it is decided that the drill

is to be announced (paragraph 11). The brief to participants should include the
following:

(1) Review of the previous drill, including the lessons learnt

(2) Objectives and scenario of the drill to be conducted

(3) The Port Facility’s security instructions pertaining to the drill being
conducted

(4) Update on the ISPS Code and/or local regulations

(5) Developments in maritime security (news, events, etc)

b. It should not include information or details of the controllers’ plans for

the drill.

16. Briefing Aids

Briefing slides and notes are provided in the accompanying PowerPoint files. With
entries for the names, dates, locations, etc. these may be used to conduct the briefing
to controllers and to participants.

17. Condition

The Port Facility is to proceed with its daily business as usual. No prior preparations
on the part of the participants and/or security arrangements are required for the
conduct of this drill.

18. Performance Measurement

a. Performance indicators should be established for this drill. Some may be

dependent on the specific circumstances of the Port Facility. Ideally,
performance indicators should be objective, but subjective ones may also be
observed by the controllers, e.g. the degree of compliance with Port Facility
security instructions.

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

b. The following objective performance indicators are the target benchmark

response times to be achieved for this drill:

FROM TO DURATION
(minutes)
Planting of the simulated Detection of the simulated w
bomb bomb
Notification sent to local x
authority e.g. Police
Detection of the (simulated)
simulated bomb Deployment of response team y
Alert broadcast to port facility z
personnel (simulated)

CONCLUDING THE DRILL

19. The drill shall be ended under the following circumstances:

a. When Port Facility staff have completed deployments and actions in

accordance with the Port Facility security instructions on bomb threats.
and
b. When the simulated bomb has been found.
or
c. Upon the Chief Controller’s instruction.

20. Debrief

a. Allow some time for the controllers and security staff to gather their
thoughts on the events, in preparation for the debrief.

b. Assemble all participating security staff for the debrief

c. The Chief Controller should conduct the debrief

d. Appoint a note-taker to record the salient points of the discussion and in

particular the lessons learnt and any follow-up actions required. Guidance
should be provided to the note-taker as to what is to be recorded.

21. Reports

a. Report the conduct of the drill to the management, either with a written
report or verbally, as required by the management. An example of a report is
provided at Appendix 4.

b. If a written report is submitted, arrange for a briefing on the drill to be

given at a management meeting to inform top management of the proceedings.

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

22. Records

a. An ISPS Drills and Exercises Record Book should be maintained by the

Port Facility. The following is an example of an entry in the ISPS Drill and
Exercises Record Book:

ISPS Port Facility Drills and Exercises

Record Book

DATE EVENT TYPE SUBJECT REPORT

REFERENCE
15/10/XX Drill Emergency D422 – Bomb PF/101/08-D422
Response – threat dated xx/yy/zzzz
Contingencies

b. A record of participants should also be kept to ensure all staff eventually

participate in a D422 [see paragraph 7b(2)].

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Appendix 1

D422 TIME-TABLE FOR PLANNING

DAYS TO DATE EVENT CHECK

DRILL

D -14 Review the Guidelines

(calendar
D -14 dates to Confirm budget availability for items and/or
be services to be employed during the drill
D -12 inserted) Identify the drill control team

D -10 Obtain management endorsement if it is required

D -7 Refine or adjust the Master Events List if

necessary
D -5 Confirm the participants

D -1 Brief the controller

D day Conduct the drill

D day Perform the debrief and record the lessons learnt

D day Record the conduct of the drill

D +1 Prepare the written report on the drill

D +2 Report the conduct of the drill to management

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Appendix 2

CODE WORDS

Code words are used to provide brevity and clarity in communications during the
conduct of a drill. The code words listed below may be used to control the drill. They
are generally initiated by the Chief Controller. Additional code words may be coined
for specific circumstances.

CODE WORD MEANING

Drill Start The drill is to commence

Drill Suspend The drill is temporarily suspended

Drill Go The drill is to resume from where it was suspended

Drill Stop The drill is to be terminated (prematurely)

Drill End The drill is completed

For Exercise The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to the drill only, and is not to be confused with
real activity. This should be used to prefix all telephone
or radio communications relating to simulated events
for the drill e.g. “For exercise, I am from the Black
September terrorist group. A bomb has been placed in
your lobby.”

No Duff The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to a real event or instruction e.g. “No duff, Mr.
KLJ has fallen and cut his hand at the Restricted Area
Gate 3. Please send a vehicle to pick him up.”

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Appendix 3

D422 MASTER EVENTS LIST

SERIAL TIME EVENT/INJECT EXPECTED RESPONSE LOCATION

NO.
Date: 15 Oct XX
001 1000 Chief Controller to announce the Port Facility staff to revise the Port Facility
conduct of the drill on 17 Oct procedures in preparation
Date: 16 Oct XX
002 - Prepare the simulated bomb Port Facility Security Office
Date: 17 Oct XX
003 0900 Controller briefing Port Facility Security Office
004 0930 Participant briefing* Port Facility
005 1000 All security staff at respective As appropriate
positions
006 1015 Controllers at respective Chief Controller at Security Office
positions
007 1020 Drill commence Port Facility
008 1030 Chief Controller to telephone the Port Facility security staff to Port Facility
PFSO and initiate the bomb apply the procedures for a bomb
threat threat
009 1200 Drill End Dispersal of personnel
010 1430 Debrief Controllers and selected staff to Staff recreation room
report findings and lessons
learnt
* Not required if the drill is to be conducted without prior notice to the participants

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Appendix 4

REPORT ON THE CONDUCT OF SECURITY DRILL D422

Type of Drill Emergency Response – Contingencies

Drill Conducted Bomb threat

General objective To practice the Port Facility’s response to a bomb threat

Date and time 15 October XXXX at 0900 hrs

Duration 2 hrs

Controllers Mr GHJ, Manager, Safety and Security – Chief controller

Mr YHU, Deputy Stevedoring Manager - Controller
Mr MJK, Shift captain - Controller

Participants Port facility staff from the first shift, and off-duty managers
All participants were briefed on the conduct of this drill

Significant events 1. The drill was initiated by the Chief Controller at 0930 hrs
with a telephone call to the PFSO simulating the “bomb threat”.

2. The drill was terminated at 1045 hrs when all measures had
been taken to deal with the bomb threat.

3. Call to local Police was simulated.

Include photographs if relevant

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 APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities

Lessons learnt 1. Communications check with local Police for bomb threat
reporting confirmed the communications links and points of
contact.

2. Port Facility staffs were generally not fluent in the

procedures, and had to refer continually to the Port Facility
security instructions for guidance on the procedures to be
adopted.

Include photographs if relevant

Follow-up action Port Facility staff will need to be reminded at regular intervals
of the procedures for a bomb threat. This will be done through
publication of different sections of the procedures in the Port
Facility daily instructions on a regular basis.

Performance 1. From Planting of the simulated bomb to Detection of the

indicators simulated bomb – w minutes

2. Detection of the simulated bomb to Notification sent to local

authority e.g. Police (simulated) – x minutes

3. Detection of the simulated bomb to Deployment of response

team – y minutes

4. Detection of the simulated bomb to Alert broadcast to port

facility personnel (simulated) – z minutes

Total cost $xxx

D422-4-2
 XYZ Port Facility
Maritime Security Drill

Controller Briefing
date

Emergency Response –
Contingencies

Bomb Threat

Drill D422

Bomb Threat

Scope

• Date, time, location

• General objective
• Specific objectives
• Required attainments
• Controllers
• Participants
• Scenario
• Controller Mission
• Controller Tasks
• Communications
• Safety
• Debrief

1
 Bomb Threat

Drill number: 1/08

Date:

Start Time:

Location:

Estimated End Time:

Bomb Threat

General Objective

To practice the Port Facility’s response to a

bomb threat

Bomb Threat

Specific Objectives

• To validate the procedures for security

responses to a bomb threat

• To practise security staff in responding

to a bomb threat

• To raise the awareness of Port Facility

staff to a bomb threat

• Meet or better the specified benchmark

response times for this drill

2
 Bomb Threat

Required Attainments

Security staff will be able to:

• Perform the specified procedures in

response to a bomb threat

• Provide feedback to refine, update and

improve the procedures

• Recognise the gravity of a bomb threat

to the Port Facility

Bomb Threat

Control Team

• Chief Controller: Safety Manager, Mr. AAA

• Controllers

 Operations Dept rep – Mr. XXX

 Workshop rep – Mr. YYY

 HR Dept rep – Ms. ZZZ

Bomb Threat

Participants

•
•
•

3
 Bomb Threat

Scenario

A bomb threat has

been received by the
PFSO. The caller
stated that a bomb
has been placed
where it would kill
many people

Bomb Threat

Controller Mission

To plant a “parcel bomb” at a location where

it will cause the greatest human damage

Bomb Threat

Controller Tasks

• To prepare a simulated parcel bomb in a

shopping bag

• To plant the “bomb” at a suitable location

consistent with the “threat”

• To inform the PFSO by written note of the

bomb threat

4
 Bomb Threat

SERIAL TIME EVENT/INJECT EXPECTED RESPONSE LOCATION

NO.
Date: 16 Oct XX

001 - Prepare and plant the Port Facility Security Office

simulated bomb in the ship
alongside
002 1000 Chief Controller to announce Port Facility staff to revise Port Facility
the conduct of the drill on 17 the procedures in
Oct preparation
Date: 17 Oct XX

003 0900 Controller briefing Port Facility Security Office

004 0930 Participant briefing* Port Facility

005 1000 All security staff at respective As appropriate

positions

006 1015 Controllers at respective Chief Controller at Security

positions Office

Bomb Threat

SERIAL TIME EVENT/INJECT EXPECTED RESPONSE LOCATION

NO.
007 1020 Drill commence Port Facility

008 1030 Chief Controller to telephone Port Facility security staff Port Facility
the PFSO and initiate the to apply the procedures for
bomb threat a bomb threat, including
evacuation

009 1300 PFSO to inform the ship that Ship to apply procedures Ship
the bomb could not be found for bomb threat when
in the Port Facility, and may alongside, including
be on board evacuation

010 1500 Drill End Dispersal of personnel

011 1530 Debrief Controllers and selected Staff recreation room

staff to report findings and
lessons learnt

* Not required if the drill is to be conducted without prior notice to the participants

Bomb Threat

Communications

• Telephone

• Walkie-Talkie
ƒ Participants - Channel number
ƒ Controllers – Channel number

• Mobile phone – please exchange mobile

numbers by xxxx hrs.

5
 Bomb Threat

Code words
Drill Start The drill is to commence

Drill Suspend The drill is temporarily suspended

Drill Go The drill is to resume from where it was suspended

Drill Stop The drill is to be terminated (prematurely)

Drill End The drill is completed

For Exercise The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to the drill only, and is not to be confused with
real activity

No Duff The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to a real event or instruction

Bomb Threat

Safety

Safety Officer:
• Physical safety of personnel is paramount
• There is to be no physical contact between
participants and controllers acting as
intruders, etc.
• Security staff are not to use abusive
language when talking to controllers acting
as “intruders”
• Do not neglect the safety of equipment

Bomb Threat

Debrief

• Location:

• Secretary:

• Attendance

ƒ
ƒ

6
 Bomb Threat

end

Any questions ?

7
 XYZ Port Facility
Maritime Security Drill

Participant Briefing

date

Emergency Response –
Contingencies

Bomb Threat

Drill D422

Bomb Threat

Scope
• Review of the previous drill
• Date, time, location
• General objective
• Specific objectives
• Required attainments
• Controllers
• Participants
• Scenario
• Port Facility security instructions
• Communications
• Safety
• Debrief
• Update on the ISPS Code/local regulations
• Developments in maritime security

1
 Bomb Threat

Review of Previous Port Facility Drill no. 4/07

Date conducted:

Objectives:

Lessons Learnt:

•
•
•

Bomb Threat

Drill number: 1/08

Date:

Start Time:

Location:

Estimated End Time:

Bomb Threat

General Objective

To practice the Port Facility’s response to a

bomb threat

2
 Bomb Threat

Specific Objectives

• To validate the procedures for security

responses to a bomb threat

• To practise security staff in responding

to a bomb threat

• To raise the awareness of Port Facility

staff to a bomb threat

• Meet or better the specified benchmark

response times for this drill

Bomb Threat

Required Attainments

Security staff will be able to:

• Perform the specified procedures in

response to a bomb threat

• Provide feedback to refine, update and

improve the procedures

• Recognise the gravity of a bomb threat to

the Port Facility

Bomb Threat

Control Team

• Chief Controller: Safety Manager, Mr. AAA

3
 Bomb Threat

Participants

•
•
•

Bomb Threat

Scenario

A bomb threat has

been received by
the PFSO. The
caller stated that a
bomb has been
placed where it
would kill many
people

Bomb Threat

Port Facility Security Instructions

•
•

4
 Bomb Threat

Communications

• Telephone

• Walkie-Talkie

• Mobile phone – please exchange mobile

numbers by xxxx hrs.

Bomb Threat
Code words
Drill Start The drill is to commence

Drill Suspend The drill is temporarily suspended

Drill Go The drill is to resume from where it was suspended

Drill Stop The drill is to be terminated (prematurely)

Drill End The drill is completed

For Exercise The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to the drill only, and is not to be confused with
real activity

No Duff The message or statement that follows this preamble

relates to a real event or instruction

Bomb Threat

Safety

Safety Officer:
• Physical safety of personnel is paramount
• There is to be no physical contact between
participants and controllers acting as
intruders, etc.
• Security staff are not to use abusive
language when talking to controllers acting
as “intruders”
• Do not neglect the safety of equipment

5
 Bomb Threat

Debrief

• Location:

• Secretary:

• Attendance

ƒ
ƒ

Bomb Threat

Updates on the ISPS Code and

local Regulations

•
•
•

Bomb Threat

Developments in Maritime Security

•
•
•

6
 Bomb Threat

end

Any questions ?