When is it appropriate to stop your Enhanced Initial Safety Screening (EISS)?

The Enhanced Initial Safety Screening (EISS) is a critical process that ensures safety and compliance during a boarding operation. The appropriate time to stop the EISS is when the basis for the suspicion is otherwise addressed, because this reflects a proactive approach to risk management. If personnel have identified a potential issue that raises concern — such as suspicious behavior, potential safety hazards, or irregularities in documentation — it is vital to resolve those issues before moving forward.

Addressing the basis for suspicion ensures that any potential risks have been mitigated, allowing for a more thorough and safe engagement with the vessel and its crew. This decision highlights the importance of situational awareness and the necessity to respond to identified risks swiftly, ensuring the safety of both the boarding team and the individuals on the vessel.

While identifying crew members, accounting for hazardous materials, and following standard operating procedures are all important components of the screening process, they do not necessarily signify the end of the EISS. Instead, these actions contribute to the overall assessment but do not replace the need to resolve any initial concerns that prompted the screening in the first place.