1.1 Description of European Index Server

SafeSeaNet (SSN) is the system for the exchange of Vessel and Voyage related information between designated participants within the EU in accordance with the EU legal framework.

The key task of the SSN system is to support EU and Member State (MS) activities for the purpose of:
- maritime safety
- port and maritime security
- marine environment protection 
- maritime traffic safety and efficiency

The operation of SSN involves a number of entities or users at regional, national and local level. 
The majority of these are:
- Shipping industry (ship masters, agents and operators) 
- National Administrations (Port Authorities, Coastal Stations, Port State Control (PSC) Officers) 
- Search and Rescue (SAR) centres
- Vessel Traffic Services (VTSs) 
- Pollution response bodies

By enabling the exchange of Vessel and Voyage related information, SSN  supports users at EU and MS level in:
- The Efficient and timely response to incidents or pollution at sea, including search and rescue operations;
- Monitoring of ships that pose a potential risk to the safety of shipping and the environment, including those involved in incidents, thus enabling earlier precautionary actions and risk mitigation at sea by coastal States;
- The Effective collection of information in support of the PSC inspection regime;
- The Effective collection of the required security information prior to ship’s entry into a port of a
Member State, and sharing of vessel position information for other security purposes;
- The management of flag State responsibilities, including the follow up of ships involved in incidents/accidents;
- The Implementation of more efficient port logistics;
- Gathering and comparison of objective and reliable information on maritime safety and on pollution by ships, thus enabling users to take the necessary steps to improve maritime safety and the prevention of ship-generated pollution, and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing measures.

SSN is a specialised system established to: 
- Enable the exchange of information in an electronic format between MSs
- Provide the Commission with the relevant information in accordance with Community legislation and
- Support MSs in satisfying their operational information needs

SSN is a network of national systems in Member States which are linked to a central SSN system that acts as a nodal point. 
The central SSN system has different interfaces available to facilitate different means of transmission (system to system or human to system).