During onboarding, Castor Vali SSAS monitoring address (ssas@castorvali.com) is configured as an alert recipient within the vessel’s SSAS.
Alert routing is tested to confirm successful delivery to our 24/7 operations centres, while contact details and escalation procedures are configured according to the agreed client preferences and industry best practices.
A full end-to-end test is conducted, including live alert drills. This verifies that alerts from all designated vessels are received by the Castor Vali operations centres and trigger an immediate response.
Crew members are trained on how and when to activate the SSAS, with emergency procedures incorporated into the vessel’s SSP where appropriate.
Castor Vali also provides ongoing support and refresher guidance where required.
Once onboarding and testing is complete, the vessel’s SSAS is monitored 24/7 by Castor Vali’s operations centres.
If an alert is received, trained personnel follow the agreed response and escalation protocol to assess the alert and coordinate the appropriate response.
A vessel’s SSAS is activated discreetly by pressing a physical SOS button onboard.
The system then silently transmits a covert distress signal to Castor Vali operations centres without alerting any potential onboard threats.
Trained maritime security professionals at the Castor Vali Operations Centres immediately assess the situation.
The response team coordinates with Flag State authorities, coastal or port State coast guards and the vessel’s Designated Person Ashore (DPA).
Company Security Officers (CSOs) often handle multiple responsibilities across several vessels and operational areas. As a result, critical alerts may be overlooked or delayed due to competing priorities.
The CSO may be off duty, in transit, or otherwise unavailable when an alert is triggered.
This can lead to slower response times in high-risk situations, putting crew and vessel safety at risk.
Security threats can occur at any time, day or night. Without dedicated, round-the-clock monitoring, alerts may go unnoticed for crucial minutes. SSAS alerts require immediate action to support safety and compliance. Any delay can result in slower emergency response, missed coordination with maritime authorities and increased exposure to threats like piracy or unauthorised boarding.
A delayed or missed response to an SSAS alert can jeopardise the safety of the crew and vessel, especially during security threats such as piracy, armed boarding or hijacking.
Inadequate or delayed responses can result in non-compliance with SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, exposing the vessel and company to legal and regulatory consequences.
Castor Vali provides a dedicated 24/7 response service, ensuring that every SSAS activation is immediately acknowledged, expertly managed, escalated appropriately and fully compliant with international maritime security regulations.
