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33 CFR § 104.270 - Security measures for restricted areas.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s104.270"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 104.270 - Security measures for restricted areas."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "104.270"
section_name: "Security measures for restricted areas."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "MARITIME SECURITY"
part_number: "104"
part_name: "MARITIME SECURITY: VESSELS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
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."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2003-14749, 68 FR 39302, July 1, 2003, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "104"
---

# 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.