Secure a Ship provide armed on-board protection teams who are experienced and qualified maritime security operatives. We offer competitive prices to all of our clients albeit new or old who wish to transit through the High Risk Areas.
Armed security involves our crew possessing lethal weapons that are legal, registered and only used for defensive purposes according to our Rules for the Use of Force and the vessel Flag State laws. These rules are based on the ISPS code, IMO Implementation, ICoC, the authorities of the ship’s flag, shipping company, insurance company and the ship’s captain before our teams embark.
We have significant experience in protecting container, tanker, hydrocarbon vessels and specialist tasks, our integrated scope of services include:
• Professional Security
• Non-Lethal Security Techniques & Services
• Route Selection & Intelligence Reports
• Vessel Hardening & Crew Training
• Pre-Transit Risk Assessment
• Daily SITREP
• Post Transit Report
• Citadel Training & Recommendations
• Client Feedback/Lessons Identified as per ISO:9001 recommendations.
All our services are supported by our 24/7 emergency response capability which will provide you as the client with a greater peace of mind knowing your vessels are highly protected at all times. A Unique Emergency number is given on each tasking.
Our Unique Selling Point (USP) is that Secure a Ship is made up entirely of BRITISH Team Leaders who have been recruited to be part of something special in what we can offer the client. When you go on transit with us you go with a team of experienced Team Leaders who instantly know how to react by the letter of the Law in the event of a pirate attack. We offer this to the client at no extra cost as we want to build a partnership with you, the client.
With over 300 operatives onboard we always have a Team on Standby, this means we can be on your vessel within 18hours.
Being a maritime security company that offers this USP along with competitive prices we believe once you’ve worked with us you’ll be back for more.
Ring now for a quote: +44 (0) 1295 254252 (0800-1900hrs GMT) or Email info@secureaship.com
General Info below:
General advice to Masters transiting through high threat areas:
The best form of defence is to be aware of the sea areas and ports affected by piracy and armed robbery.
Ensure a proper all round lookout using all available means is maintained while in these areas.
In most incidents as soon as the pirates / armed robbers know that they have been spotted or feel the vessel has been secured and is a difficult target they will abandon the attack.
- Follow company and ship specific procedures
- Follow advice in IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1334 (23 June 2009)
- While transiting waters affected by Somali pirates follow BMP4
In Addition:
- Be aware of the sea areas / and ports affected by piracy and armed robbery (the PRC broadcasts regularly to ships in the IOR and AOR regions. See Live Piracy Map)
- Brief crew: Inform them to be vigilant and inform bridge / duty officer of anything suspicious / not normal
- The attitude “this will not happen to me” should be strongly discouraged
- Conduct a drill prior to entering a high risk area. This will ensure emergency communication procedures are tested and emergency contact numbers are readily available
- Ensure all crew are fully aware of alarm procedures, muster stations and duties
- Keeping in mind multi national crews – all internal communications should be carried out in the working language of the ship
- Master should consider adjusting ship routines prior to entering high risk areas to ensure well rested and additional crew on watch at all times
- Ensure blind spots and dark areas are lit up (ensure lighting does not hamper safe navigation and lookout duties)
- Ensure the deck watch work in pairs at all times. this will depend on area of risk.
- Ensure rounds on deck are taken at irregular intervals
- Reporting from deck to bridge at regular intervals (if reporting not done it is the first indication that there is something wrong)
- Be especially vigilant during watch change over times
- Keeping in mind watch-keepers on deck – access into the accommodation, bridge, steering gear room and engine room to be secured.
- Rig and pressurise fire hoses prior to entry into high risk areas
- Depending on ship type and area of transit – engine room to be manned
- Keep security / urgency messages ready to transmit while transiting high-risk areas
- Keep important telephone numbers ready at hand especially those of CSO, Flagstate, PRC
- Have a designated communications officer (this will ensure the master is able to concentrate and deal with the situation rather than being distracted by communication procedures)
- If applicable keep emergency checklist ready at hand
- Test the SSAS as required by manufacturer
- It is vital that all incidents are reported to the PRC (actual, attempted, suspicious)
- Masters should evaluate the situation and report the incident as soon as it develops, this will ensure that there is time for assistance to be made available.
In the event of attack:
- Raise Alarm, Muster Crew, Increase Speed if possible
- Commence evasive manoeuvres and use bow wave and stern wash to prevent the small boats approaching close to the ship
- Identify the mother vessel and move away from it (if there is one)
- Steam away from land
- Head into the sea and swell: this makes it more difficult for boats to come alongside
- In the event of pirates boarding and gaining control of the bridge it is essential to try to keep calm and follow the instructions of the pirates in order to avoid physical confrontation. The master should at all times endeavour to keep the vessel in command to prevent collision / grounding etc.
Other Procedures:
Keeping in mind ship speed, freeboard, amount of time vessel will spend in the high risk area the company / master may consider a structured and layered defense to ensure the pirates cannot get access into the accommodation, engine room, bridge areas.
Some thought should be given to the layered defense structure and the strengths of the ship should be used as the most effective tool in hardening the ship. These could include but by no means are limited to
- Proper and efficient lookouts to get early warning of threat.
- Increasing speed and manoeuvring the vessels
- Communicate and broadcast the attack to the appropriate organisations which will be able to effectively alert authorities and law enforcement for assistance
- With crew safety in mind – the use of razor wires around the accessible parts of the ship e.g. stern, parallel body, companion ways and other vulnerable parts of the ship
- Temporary extension on the width of the gunwale / fishplate
- Trailing mooring ropes / cargo nets which could foul approaching small boat propellers
- Dunnage, empty 200 ltr oil drums, wooden pallets have been used by masters in the past to aid in preventing successful boardings.
- Locking down all access points into the accommodation, bridge and engine room.
Best Action to take is to get Secure a Ship operatives to provide security for your vessel and conduct a risk assessment and take action accordingly.