---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 104.270"
title: "33"
number: "104.270"
heading: "Security measures for restricted areas."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/104.270"
---

# §104.270. Security measures for restricted areas.

- (a) **General.** The vessel owner or operator must ensure the designation of restricted areas in order to:
  - (1) Prevent or deter unauthorized access;
  - (2) Protect persons authorized to be on board;
  - (3) Protect the vessel;
  - (4) Protect sensitive security areas within the vessel;
  - (5) Protect security and surveillance equipment and systems; and
  - (6) **Protect cargo and vessel stores from tampering.**
- (b) **Designation of Restricted Areas.** The vessel owner or operator must ensure restricted areas are designated on board the vessel, as specified in the approved plan. Restricted areas must include, as appropriate:
  - (1) Navigation bridge, machinery spaces and other control stations;
  - (2) Spaces containing security and surveillance equipment and systems and their controls and lighting system controls;
  - (3) Ventilation and air-conditioning systems and other similar spaces;
  - (4) Spaces with access to potable water tanks, pumps, or manifolds;
  - (5) Spaces containing dangerous goods or hazardous substances;
  - (6) Spaces containing cargo pumps and their controls;
  - (7) Cargo spaces and spaces containing vessel stores;
  - (8) Crew accommodations; and
  - (9) **Any other spaces or areas vital to the security of the vessel.**
- (c) The vessel owner or operator must ensure that security measures and policies are established to:
  - (1) Identify which vessel personnel are authorized to have access;
  - (2) Determine which persons other than vessel personnel are authorized to have access;
  - (3) Determine the conditions under which that access may take place;
  - (4) Define the extent of any restricted area;
  - (5) Define the times when access restrictions apply; and
  - (6) Clearly mark all restricted areas and indicate that access to the area is restricted and that unauthorized presence within the area constitutes a breach of security.
- (d) **Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level 1.** The vessel owner or operator must ensure the implementation of security measures to prevent unauthorized access or activities within the area. These security measures may include:
  - (1) Locking or securing access points;
  - (2) Monitoring and using surveillance equipment;
  - (3) Using guards or patrols; and
  - (4) Using automatic intrusion detection devices, which if used must activate an audible and/or visual alarm at a location that is continuously attended or monitored, to alert vessel personnel to unauthorized access.
- (e) **MARSEC Level 2.** In addition to the security measures required for MARSEC Level 1 in this section, at MARSEC Level 2, the vessel owner or operator must also ensure the implementation of additional security measures, as specified for MARSEC Level 2 in the approved VSP. These additional security measures may include:
  - (1) Increasing the frequency and intensity of monitoring and access controls on existing restricted access areas;
  - (2) Restricting access to areas adjacent to access points;
  - (3) Providing continuous monitoring of each area, using surveillance equipment; and
  - (4) **Dedicating additional personnel to guard or patrol each area.**
- (f) **MARSEC Level 3.** In addition to the security measures required for MARSEC Level 1 and MARSEC Level 2, at MARSEC Level 3, the vessel owner or operator must ensure the implementation of additional security measures, as specified for MARSEC Level 3 in the approved VSP. These additional security measures may include:
  - (1) Restricting access to additional areas; and
  - (2) **Searching restricted areas as part of a security sweep of the vessel.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70051, 70116, Chapter 701; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-11, 6.14, 6.16, and 6.19; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

### Source

Source: USCG-2003-14749, 68 FR 39302, July 1, 2003, unless otherwise noted.