Maritime Security

The objective of the Maritime Security course are to;

1. Provide the knowledge needed to contribute to the enhancement of maritime security through heightened awareness.
2. Enable seafarers to recognise security threats;
3. Enable seafarers to understand the need for, and methods of, maintaining security awareness and vigilance.

Common threats the maritime industry must face include;

Piracy

The term piracy encompasses two offences. Robbery or Hijacking and Kidnapping.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is the world’s leading agency for maritime crime information.

In 2022 the IMB reported 115 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships – compared to 132 in 2021 – with half of them occurring in Southeast Asian waters, particularly in the Singapore Straits, where incidents continue to rise.

Many incidents are believed to go unreported, especially if the loss is not significant.

Terrorism

Maritime terrorism is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation.

The attacks on USS Cole in 2000, MV Limburg in 2002, MV SuperFerry 14 in 2004 and the M Star in 2010 are all classified as acts of ‘Maritime Terrorism’.

They provide a stark reminder that the world’s waterways continue to be vulnerable and seafarer vigilance is needed.
Smuggling

Contraband smuggling is the transportation of illegal goods, most commonly drugs and weapons, into or out of a country.

A ship caught smuggling contraband could face confiscation, investigations, and detentions.

For the crew interrogations, criminal conviction and imprisonment are all possible.

Large financial losses to the ship owner are also possible.

Stowaways

Stowaways are people who hide aboard a ship to travel for free.
The presence of stowaways on board ships may bring serious consequences. The life of stowaways could be endangered as they may spend several days hidden, with the risk of suffocation and without any water or provisions.

The ship can be delayed in port because the repatriation of stowaways can be a very complex and costly procedure involving masters, shipowners, port authorities and agents.

In 2023 there were 345 incidents reported involving 892 stowaways (IMO).

Cargo Theft & Collateral Damage

Lost or stolen cargo is estimated to cost the maritime industry around 50 billion dollars each year.

This maritime security course will provide your seafarers with the knowledge needed to reduce the chance of each of the threats above.

Maritime Security rules are the widely accepted requirements, developed over time with the aim of keeping everyone safe.

There are some key rules, technically they are referred to as conventions, treaties, or regulations, that you need to be aware of which we outline in this course.

Security Rules have been amended over time depending on the changing threats.

Rules come from various organisations for example the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). All governments that are members of the IMO agree to implement and enforce the rules.

The main maritime rules are called;

SOLAS

In 1912, the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. Over 1,500 people drowned due to a lack of lifeboats. The Titanic had 2,224 people on board, but nowhere near enough lifeboats. The total lifeboat capacity was only 1,178.

The ship’s crew was also inadequately trained for such an emergency.

Safety rules were needed. So in 1914, the first version of the Safety of Life at Sea convention was adopted in response. This convention is known as SOLAS.

MARPOL

As the world’s economy grew, so did the demand for oil. Oil tanker incidents and oil spills started to increase.

The Torrey Canyon incident in 1967 was one of the worst incidents and became a catalyst for new rules.

The Torrey Canyon incident led to around 36 million gallons of crude oil being spilt off the coast of the United Kingdom.

So in 1973, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships known was adopted. This convention became known as MARPOL.

ISPS

ISPS refers to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

ISPS is actually an amendment to the wider SOLAS convention and came into force on July 1st 2004

STCW

STCW stands for the ‘Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping’ for Seafarers with the goal of enhancing safety.

Amendments to training requirements were introduced in 1995 and again in 2010. The 2010 amendments are often referred to as the Manila amendments.

The 2010 amendment introduced the need for all seafarers to receive security training.

Which is the purpose of this Maritime Security course.

IMO 1334