MIAMI — Carnival Cruise Lines has signed an agreement with Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO) for the installation of the A-PASS security system on its fleet of 14 cruise ships.
A-PASS (Automated Personnel Assisted Security Screening) is the newest and most sophisticated electronic vessel access security system available. It provides high speed, interactive photo identification and access control screening of guests and employees as they enter and exit a ship.
Bob Dickinson, president of Carnival Cruise Lines said, "A-PASS is an excellent, easy-to-use system for guests and crew and tremendously enhances our ability to track exits and entries to the vessels in addition to speeding the re-boarding process."
Prior to entering a ship, guests will stop at a kiosk and insert their combination room key, shipboard credit card and identification card. A camera within the kiosk will take guests' photos within a matter of seconds and the process is complete.
Then, each time guests exit or enter the vessel, they insert the card into a kiosk located near the ship's gangway. Computer terminals monitored by ship's security personnel display the photo and other identifying information as well as track the exact time of exit and entry.
A-PASS enables ship personnel to monitor who is on and off the vessel at any
given time and to quickly verify the identity of guests and crew.
Another guest-service component will enable shipboard staff to place urgent messages for guests within the system. So, for example, when a guest returns from a day in port and inserts the card into the kiosk upon entering the vessel, he or she will be flagged by security personnel and advised of the message appearing on the computer screen.
The system also enables the cruise line to easily and quickly transmit passenger manifests electronically to its home office and federal agencies.
Integration of the A-PASS system within the Carnival fleet will begin later this year and should be completed within 18 months.
Carnival Cruise Lines is the world's largest cruise operator with 14 ships offering voyages of three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii and eastern Canada.
Security Identification Systems Corporation, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., is an innovator in high volume access control and surveillance. Since 1994, SISCO has worked in such markets as airlines, marine, cruise lines, corrections, parole, military and government. It has subsidiary companies that specialize in reinforced security glass, metal detectors, portals, turnstiles and passport authentication.
