What does an Initial Safety Sweep (ISS) assess on a vessel?

An Initial Safety Sweep (ISS) serves as a crucial procedure that assesses the immediate safety and operational conditions of a vessel. This process involves a swift evaluation aimed at identifying any potential safety hazards present on board, such as unsecured cargo, fire hazards, or unsafe equipment. By conducting this preliminary sweep, boarding team members can quickly determine whether the vessel poses a risk to crew members or others on the water.

During the Initial Safety Sweep, the boarding team pays particular attention to elements that could compromise the safe operation of the vessel while it is underway. This includes looking for areas where safety could be at risk, ensuring that necessary safety equipment is available and functional, and verifying that safety protocols are being followed by the crew.

While the other options may address different aspects of vessel checks, they do not align with the primary focus of the Initial Safety Sweep, which is fundamentally about quickly assessing the seaworthiness and identifying any immediate hazards that need attention.