33 CFR 104.230: Vessel security drill and exercise requirements
Last reviewed: November 9, 2026
This section requires vessels to run security drills and exercises that test personnel and the Vessel Security Plan (VSP). Drills must happen at least every 3 months, and exercises at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.
What it says
Drills and exercises must test the proficiency of vessel personnel in assigned security duties at all MARSEC Levels and the effective implementation of the Vessel Security Plan.
33 CFR 104.230(a)(1)“Drills and exercises must test the proficiency of vessel personnel in assigned security duties at all Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels and the effective implementation of the Vessel Security Plan (VSP).”
The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is held at least every 3 months. The exception is a vessel out of service for repairs or seasonal suspension of operation, which must hold a drill within one week of reactivation.
33 CFR 104.230(b)(1)“The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months, except when a vessel is out of service due to repairs or seasonal suspension of operation”
Drills must test individual elements of the VSP, including response to security threats and incidents.
33 CFR 104.230(b)(2)“Drills must test individual elements of the VSP, including response to security threats and incidents.”
A vessel moored at a facility on the date the facility plans a drill may take part in the facility's scheduled drill, but is not required to.
33 CFR 104.230(b)(3)“the vessel may, but is not required to, participate in the facility's scheduled drill.”
Drills must be conducted within one week from whenever the percentage of vessel personnel with no prior participation in a vessel security drill on that vessel exceeds 25 percent.
33 CFR 104.230(b)(4)“Drills must be conducted within one week from whenever the percentage of vessel personnel with no prior participation in a vessel security drill on that vessel exceeds 25 percent.”
Exercises must be conducted at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.
33 CFR 104.230(c)(1)“Exercises must be conducted at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.”
Each exercise must test communication and notification procedures, and elements of coordination, resource availability, and response.
33 CFR 104.230(c)(4)“Each exercise must test communication and notification procedures, and elements of coordination, resource availability, and response.”
Common questions
How often must a vessel hold a security drill?
The VSO must ensure at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months. A vessel out of service for repairs or seasonal suspension must hold a drill within one week of reactivation.
“The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months, except when a vessel is out of service due to repairs or seasonal suspension of operation”
How often must vessel security exercises be held?
Exercises must be conducted at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.
“Exercises must be conducted at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.”
What forms can a security exercise take?
An exercise may be full scale or live, a tabletop simulation or seminar, combined with other appropriate exercises, or a combination of those elements.
“Tabletop simulation or seminar;”
Must a vessel join a facility's scheduled drill?
No. A vessel moored at a facility on the date of the facility's planned drill may participate but is not required to.
“the vessel may, but is not required to, participate in the facility's scheduled drill.”
The text of 33 CFR 104.230
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Drill and exercise requirements
(a) General. (1) Drills and exercises must test the proficiency of vessel personnel in assigned security duties at all Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels and the effective implementation of the Vessel Security Plan (VSP). They must enable the Vessel Security Officer (VSO) to identify any related security deficiencies that need to be addressed.
(2) A drill or exercise required by this section may be satisfied with the implementation of security measures required by the Vessel Security Plan as the result of an increase in the MARSEC Level, provided the vessel reports attainment to the cognizant COTP.
(b) Drills. (1) The VSO must ensure that at least one security drill is conducted at least every 3 months, except when a vessel is out of service due to repairs or seasonal suspension of operation provided that in such cases a drill must be conducted within one week of the vessel's reactivation. Security drills may be held in conjunction with non-security drills where appropriate.
(2) Drills must test individual elements of the VSP, including response to security threats and incidents. Drills should take into account the types of operations of the vessel, vessel personnel changes, and other relevant circumstances. Examples of drills include unauthorized entry to a restricted area, response to alarms, and notification of law enforcement authorities.
(3) If the vessel is moored at a facility on the date the facility has planned to conduct any drills, the vessel may, but is not required to, participate in the facility's scheduled drill.
(4) Drills must be conducted within one week from whenever the percentage of vessel personnel with no prior participation in a vessel security drill on that vessel exceeds 25 percent.
(5) Not withstanding paragraph (b)(4) of this section, vessels not subject to SOLAS may conduct drills within 1 week from whenever the percentage of vessel personnel with no prior participation in a vessel security drill on a vessel of similar design and owned or operated by the same company exceeds 25 percent.
(c) Exercises. (1) Exercises must be conducted at least once each calendar year, with no more than 18 months between exercises.
(2) Exercises may be:
(i) Full scale or live;
(ii) Tabletop simulation or seminar;
(iii) Combined with other appropriate exercises; or
(iv) A combination of the elements in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section.
(3) Exercises may be vessel-specific or part of a cooperative exercise program to exercise applicable facility and vessel security plans or comprehensive port exercises.
(4) Each exercise must test communication and notification procedures, and elements of coordination, resource availability, and response.
(5) Exercises are a full test of the security program and must include the substantial and active participation of relevant company and vessel security personnel, and may include facility security personnel and government authorities depending on the scope and the nature of the exercises.
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.