How frequently should a roving patrol check the integrity of critical spaces?

A roving patrol is a critical part of maintaining the safety and security of a vessel while in-port, particularly in ensuring that vital areas, such as machinery spaces, engineering spaces, and areas housing hazardous materials, remain secure and intact. The recommended frequency for checks in a marine environment is once every 30 minutes. This interval strikes a balance between being sufficient to detect any potential issues early, such as unauthorized access, fire, flooding, or any other emergencies, while also ensuring that personnel are not overtaxed.

Conducting these checks too frequently, such as every 15 minutes, could lead to fatigue and decrease overall vigilance, while checks every hour may delay the response time in the event of a situation developing in a critical space. Therefore, once every 30 minutes is the ideal compromise, allowing for regular monitoring without overwhelming the personnel assigned to this important task.