Course info

CHAPTER TWO

SAFETY AND SECURITY REQUIREMENT FOR SHIPS

Maritime security is a major issue for shipping companies, legal advisors, risk management firms and relevant international organisations and authorities. These maritime industries operate on a global scale with access to some of the busiest shipping routes in the world vital for trade and humanitarian purposes with measurable benefits for all.

But this accessibility presents a series of challenges. Piracy, terrorism, arms smuggling, stowaways, corruption, human and drugs trafficking and other illegal acts which fit into the of transnational organized crime. These serious threats to life and liberty will continue to make the world an uncertain place.

a) How vessel security is maintain during a voyage.

As will be seen later before the vessels leaves port it is thoroughly checked for stowaways, terrorist, hijackers and weapons. While at sea it is but normal that the vessel security is main. This can be done by 

 Planning the Voyage - carry out a risk assessment and make an assessment of the measures required when transiting high risk areas

 Training and planning counter attack by the crew - many attempted piracy and armed robbery ‘attacks’ are unsuccessful, countered by ships’ crew who have planned and trained in advance

 Being vigilant: the crew of the ship need to be vigilant in other to avoid surprised attack by the arm rubbers, terrorist, hijackers, pirates etc. 

 Maintaining a high speed where possible in high-risk areas

 Using good communications with relevant authorities - report to the relevant authorities before, during or after an attack

 Constant testing of the security equipment and security drills. This will make the crew be ready for any eventuality 

b) Types of security threats.

There a number of security threats to which vessels are subjected, some of these threats include piracy and hijacking, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, arm smuggling etc.

i) Piracy and hijacking: Piracy is defined by UNCLOS as:

a. any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed:

i.on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;

ii.against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;

b. any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;

c. any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).

Hijacking on the other hand simply means to take control of a moving vessel and change it course. 

Piracy and hijacking are the main threats with inestimable costs in terms of commerce and human life. The safety of a vessel, its cargo and crew is a number one priority, especially in dangerous seas where the risks of a pirate attack are high. This has greatly affected shipping operations aroundthe world especially of the coast of Somalia and around the gulf of guinea. Where vessels and have been seized and ransom demanded. Vessels and crews require protection from highly trained, professional security teams with conflict management and weapons handling skills. 

ii) Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence or threatened use of violence (terror), often targeting civilians, in order to achieve a political, religious, or ideological aim. It can also be defined as violence or the threat of violence, especially bombing, kidnapping, and assassination, carried out for political purposes. This acts have also been used on board vessels to either attack vessels belonging to some enemy countries or aim at killing people from a particular country. The increasing threat of terrorism has resulted in co-operation between NATO and other organisations in order to find solutions to this problem. One act of counter-terrorism is Operation Active Endeavour (http://uknato.fco.gov.uk) in which NATO ships patrol high risk areas, looking for suspect vessels whilst protecting merchant shipping at the same time.

Other similar maritime activities include Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR) and Operation Ocean Shield and Operation Allied Protector (NATO counter-piracy).

iii)Human trafficking

Human trafficking is a highly lucrative trade for criminal gangs and illegal cartels that control multi-million pound operations across several continents. This is usually run in conjunction with the drugs trade and always for the purpose of exploitation. This men trafficked to be used as drug pushers or to operate in the drug gang. 

iv)Arms smuggling

The demand for illegal weapons is driven by the drugs trade and internal conflicts, i.e. civil wars where power and profit are the end goals. These weapons are illegally imported into a country where they are used to destabilize a government or regime.

These maritime threats can be reduced with threat intelligence, risk assessments and personnel who are trained to deal with potentially violent situations.

c) Vessels security facilities and features 

Like ports all ships are supposed to have security facilities and features that can be used to fight against maritime insecurity. They type of facilities are design to fight against different types of threats. 

For stowaways the following facilities are used.

i.X-ray machines: At one time it was thought that using x-ray machines was an efficient method of detection. However, it turned out that the x-ray intensity needed to penetrate the walls of a steel box would have been so great that it could prove fatal to anyone inside.

ii.Stethoscopic microphones: Stethoscopic microphone testing seemed quite promising until it became clear that the background noises produced by day-to-day port operations were difficult to filter out.

iii.Alarm system and/or closed circuit television: An alarm system with infrared detectors, door contacts, motion sensors, surveillance cameras etc., as in an ordinary surveillance system could be mounted on board to ease the monitoring of critical access points. The surveillance should be monitored from the bridge.

iv.Heat seeking cameras: The purpose of a heat-seeking camera is to detect temperature variations of as little as two degrees inside a container. However, it turns out that this tool also has its deficiencies, as many materials, including certain types of cargo, can generate heat. Moreover, some stowaways have learned to beat the cameras by putting up layers of cardboard along the inside walls of the container.

v.Carbon Dioxide detectors: Carbon dioxide detectors are probably the most successful technology available at the moment and are used in a number of ports. The detector is inserted into the containers air vent in order to detect breathing inside

In the case of Pirate the following measures are applied

i. Evasion of Pirate-Infested Waters: For example, one of the most common and least aggressive methods of fighting piracy is simply by avoiding it, and by and large it will guarantee the safety of the ship. Of course, this is not suitable for regular journeys, as the extra cost in fuel and time will negate any potential benefits- though many would argue that reducing the cost of human life makes any other increased costs worthwhile. More importantly, however, evasion does not work long-term; studies have shown that the areas of major piracy shift to reflect the major shipping routes and the main targets for attack. 

Therefore, by changing routes to avoid pirates, ships may inadvertently call more attention to themselves in the long run. Nonetheless, it is a useful tactic to consider.

ii. Weapons and Other Defensive Tactics: Barbed wire may be effective in close combat. Other tactics can seem far more effective, though are really only more combative. This does not necessarily make these other methods lethal or even particularly aggressive, but are still more of an active defense than evasion is. For example, barbed wire provides a cheap and effective method of fighting piracy, even without being particularly ‘active’. By lining the hull of a ship with barbed wire, crews can ensure that pirates cannot board them. 

Similarly, the sight of a vessel covered in barbed wire may be enough to deter some Pirate attacks. On the other hand, this can be seen as too aggressive for civilian crafts, which have been increasingly targeted by pirates. 

Other similar methods include water hoses and foam, which can help make boarding practically impossible without causing any actual injuries. One thing there is plenty of in the ocean is water. High powered water cannons mounted at potential pirate boarding locations can shoot out. This water can either be directed to physically impede the pirates from boarding, or even to make it difficult for them to move their skiff up to the edge of the boat. Even if they’re not impenetrable, even a short delay can allow the crew to call for help.

iii. Armed guards: Armed guards are a much more hostile form of security for ships, and yet are not necessarily just there to fight pirates; just like barbed wire, the sight of a ship protected by Maritime Security Forces can be enough to deter many pirates and avoid attack altogether. However, if they are attacked, these forces will help ensure the safety ofall those on the ship. However, this can be a particularly costly method, as these forces will require equipment such as weaponry and armor, all of which will likely be factored into operating costs.

Other more expensive options include weaponized radar, which is more accessible than many realize!

iv. Citadel: A citadel is a fortified room where a crew can go in case of a pirate attack. Citadels have heavily reinforced doors, stocks of food and water, and communications equipment. Citadels are constructed as a last resort– if the ship isn’t able to evade or deter the pirates, and has no armed guard, the captain can order the crew to retreat. Citadels are also very expensive to construct and nothing is impenetrable– a clever or determined pirate can find his way through almost anything.

Other security features include 

v. Securing the bridge

The bridge is the main focus of pirate attacks. Kevlar body armor and helmets for the bridge team will protect from the initial fire pirates direct at the bridge. Placing a double layer chain link fence around the back and sides of the bridge can decrease the effectiveness of RPG’s. Every second counts– pirate entry into the bridge can be delayed with reinforced doors and locks.

vi. Physical barriers to prevent boarding: The Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy guide recommends using physical barriers to hinder pirates if they try to board your vessel. A barbed wire fence at the edge of the deck can especially effective if constructed to hang overboard, preventing pirates from hooking their ladders. Electric fences can also work for certain vessels, but shouldn’t be used for ships carrying hydrocarbon