Maritime Security

Our Operational maritime corporate security solutions and training capabilities have been implemented as a direct result of the growing number of piracy attacks throughout the world. With our proven methods in both armed and passive protective procedures we can minimise and mitigate the risks associated with Piracy, terrorism and criminal activity. By providing a rapid response and cost effective solution, we can facilitate an increase in productivity and increased profits. Using anti piracy maritime security solutions and intelligence analysts we can perceive the very latest threats and real time security updates and knowledge of any given area, ensuring your company will have the very best that the maritime security industry has to offer.
PSA Maritime Operations are privileged to employ highly trained specialist personnel with a vast wealth of experience and expertise in advising and implementing new dynamic training and operational strategies and solutions to the commercial and private shipping, offshore oil and gas industry. Our maritime security and investigative personnel derive from elements of the British; Royal Military Police, Royal Marines and other specialist units of the British & International armed forces, bringing a wealth of knowledge and diverse languages together. Many of our operational maritime security consultants are fully trained in the use of various weapons; which includes the rules of engagement and are qualified to a minimum standard as Ship Security Officer (SSO), having knowledge of the ISPS codes and SOLAS.

Anti piracy and maritime security services include, but are not exhaustive to the following;

Vessel Protection Teams; (VPT)

An armed or passive vessel protection team can deploy at short notice anywhere in the world; and will work with the Master and crew to implement a variety of physical security hardening measures around the vessel. A secure Citadel area will be established and training in lock down, emergency reporting procedures and latest methods of piracy attacks will be delivered. Throughout the high risk area the VPT will provide a continuous 24 hour security watch routine & support; including up to date intelligence reports on the most recent attacks.

Specialist Maritime Security Consultant;

An individual consultant can deliver the exact training elements, advice and support as the VPT prior to entering the high risk area if a full VPT is not required. The consultant can then either disembark the vessel before the transit or remain on the vessel throughout providing continuous support.

Ship Security Survey; (SSS)

If a VPT or consultant is not required, a further option would be to have a detailed independent ship security survey report. This will outline the vulnerabilities of the vessel and will recommend all security control measures to be implemented prior to the high risk area. The report will include all written training and emergency procedures as well as images of hardening techniques currently used, enabling the Master and crew to implement the procedures.

Port Security Survey (PSS)

A detailed Port security survey can be delivered which will analyse the current security procedures and any recommendations or changes in; current policy, local threat analysis, vulnerabilities, best management practice and personnel etc. A security action plan with renewed control measures can then be considered or implemented.

Port Security Officers (PSO)

Gate and sentry security personnel to control all assess and guarding elements of the port or installation, including; CCTV, intruder and fire monitoring , screening of work based and visiting personnel, vehicles and equipment of contractors, freight, containers and port buildings. In addition we have highly trained dog and handler patrol teams that specialise in guarding or search of explosives, weapons and drugs.

Maritime Security Liaison Officers (MSLO)

Specialist personnel can also be utilised on a more permanent basis, either on a vessel, offshore or shore based installations and will advise, liaise and report directly with the client company on best practice and business continuity with up to date changes in security policies, Local intelligence, planning, procedures, threat assessments and lock down procedures.

Emergency Planning & Crisis Management.

Our consultants can be deployed to initiate and implement emergency planning and crisis management surveys and manual written assessments for vessels, offshore oil & gas installations. For this task, our consultants will hold a minimum qualification of a Masters degree in risk, crisis management and emergency planning.

Port Freight & Equipment Tracking: Asset Surveillance Protection:

Freight and transportation leaving a port or secure distribution compound can be targeted by criminal gangs; intent on hijacking and theft from the vehicle. Quite often the gangs have received inside information from within the distribution warehouse about the vehicles valued freight, planned stops, routes and final destination. Effective measures can be utilised by placing hidden trackers within the freight and in the case of high value freight, specialist surveillance teams can also be deployed to follow and report any planned or attempted attacks to a dedicated control centre and the police.

Investigative Infiltration Teams:

You could discover that items of freight have been reported as missing and it is suspected that employees are involved in theft from within the company. Theft can occur from within organisations; bonded warehouses or other cargo storage facilities within the port, these factors can have a big impact on production and profit. The owner can be in a situation where he needs proof that theft is taking place by his own employees. An individual who is specialised in investigation and infiltration techniques can be employed by the company on the pretext of becoming a regular employee, and then placed within the problematic work area. Over time the undercover investigator can reveal the identity of the perpetrators and how and where the theft is taking place. Evidence in the form of covert photographic imagery can be produced to the company owners to be processed at their discretion.

Maritime Penetration Testing:

Certain organisations and ship owners on occasions request that their own security is tested for vulnerability and possible areas of bad security practice from their employees. This could be a vessel which is docked in a port, bonded (high value freight) warehouses, port security guard teams etc; Experienced and specialist operators will test their security, this could be by means of simply gaining entry into a building or vessel or sending a suspicious package etc; A detailed vulnerability assessment report will be provided so that the company can assess their most vulnerable areas in the future.

Port CCTV Installation:

A full risk assessment of the port and any buildings within can be given, suggesting the best management practice for all CCTV camera locations. A full installation service can be provided including; Covert cameras if the client believes that theft of freight or equipment is occurring by criminals gaining access into the port or by its own employees.

Ship Security Design Plan

Common ship design has revealed many critical physical and technical security vulnerabilities and features. An increase in piracy attacks against commercial and private shipping in some cases has shown that the structural design of the ship has allowed the attackers a more successful rate in hijacking and theft. A more secure design on a new build will provide vital resilience in structure and decrease the possibility of successful attacks in the future. Our consultants can play a vital role by providing security advice in the early stages of architectural planning.

Stowaway Deportation

Finding illegal stowaways on a ship appear to be on the increase, normally they are found hiding whilst on route to Europe or the USA, more commonly from the continents of Africa and South America. On occasions the stowaways can be in numbers and can become violent. PSA can provide experienced deportation officers who will accompany the stowaways either by sea or air and repatriate them back to their country of origin.