Finally, someone is starting to talk some sense when it comes to this stuff. I commend the Captain for giving an honest assessment and presenting a voice of reason. If you are in the maritime security business, this is the kind of stuff that should be required reading. It will give you the necessary market intelligence about what your customers are dealing with, and how you can modify your services to meet their demands.
It sounds to me like vetting crew members on these boats is lacking. One idea for companies, is to provide some basic vetting of not only their security team, but the ship’s crew, as part of a total security package. From the sounds of it, this is a major concern on these boats, and the ship’s captain is constantly given a crew that is not properly vetted. (that gives us incite into how little these shipping companies care I guess) I really feel bad for them when it comes to the non-US vessels, because it sounds like vetting is non-existent.
The other thing I picked up on is the maritime security company mentioned called Lakonian International. I did a quick Google search, and low and behold that company is an affiliate of NEK. Which is interesting, because NEK has been advertising for awhile for maritime security specialists, and I guess now they are setting up a separate company to deal with that market entirely. That, and the author singled them out specifically. Get your resumes into NEK so you can get in on a chance to wear one of those cool Lakonian International t-shirts. lol –Matt
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Arming the Vessel’s Crew vs. Armed Security Professionals
By Captain Jim Staples
02/19/2010
A common question asked by the general public in the United States following the Maersk Alabama incident has been, “Do you have guns onboard the ship to protect yourselves?” This question is a good one and the reason sound; however, the reality of shipboard operations, crew nationalities and religious beliefs make it a complicated solution globally.By looking onboard U.S. vessels, we find that crew turnover and how a crew member finds employment present some of the difficulties that go along with arming a crew. The employment of a U.S. crewmember begins at a hiring hall. The seaman puts in a shipping card once a job has been posted on the bulletin board. Who gets the job depends on a few variables. The candidate must first be qualified to take that position. He must have his STCW for the rating he intends to sail in. He must be drug free and competent according to USCG regulations. To receive his documents, the seaman must have had a background check which is completed by the USCG when he applies for or renews his documents. A background check is done every renewal period at five year intervals. Background checks on American seaman are comprehensive and extensive. Generally most seamen have a clean record and receive their documents with no problem at all. Nothing is perfect and this is true with the American Merchant Seaman who has been checked out by the USCG and FBI It has been found that some seaman have extensive criminal backgrounds and never should have been allowed onboard American vessels never mind foreign vessels. Yet they seem to find their way onboard and become part of the crew. This does not happen often, but it does happen.