At this time, Red Cell would like to take this opportunity to extend our thoughts to all those servicemen and women and their families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to provide security to our nation.

The International Maritime Organisation recently issued further interim guidance on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) onboard ships to counter Somali-based piracy has been approved by an International Maritime Organization (IMO) intersessional working group.

The Intersessional Maritime Security and Piracy Working Group of the Maritime Safety Committee, which met at IMO Headquarters in London from September 13 to 15, 2011, approved the following Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) circulars for dissemination:

• MSC.1/Circ.1408 on Interim Recommendations for port and coastal states regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area;
• MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.1 on Revised Interim Recommendations for flag states regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area;
• MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1 on Revised Interim Guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area; and
• a joint MSC and Facilitation Committee (FAL) circular on questionnaire on information on port and coastal state requirements related to privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, which is aimed at gathering information on current requirements.

The circulars provide interim guidance and recommendations to be taken into account when considering the use of PCASP if and when a flag state determines that such a measure would be lawful and, following a full risk assessment, appropriate. As stated in the circulars, the interim guidance and recommendations “are not intended to endorse or institutionalize” the use of armed guards. Therefore, they do not represent any fundamental change of policy by the organization in this regard. It is for each flag state, individually, to decide whether or not PCASP should be authorized for use on board ships flying their flag. If a flag state decides to permit this practice, it is up to that state to determine the conditions under which authorization will be granted. The use of PCASP should not be considered as an alternative to Best Management Practices (BMP) and other protective measures.

BMP4 has recently been issued by the shipping industry and will shortly be disseminated by IMO (as MSC.1/Circ.1339).

Best Management Practices (Version 4) for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy

Red Cell Security Limited became a signatory of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) in June 2011. Red Cell was influencial in the early stages of the development of the ICoC, by identifying the unique challenges of applying the code to the maritime domain. Together with other members of the International Association of Maritime Security Professionals (MARSECPRO), Red Cell assisted in drafting a letter to the Swiss government detailing the concerns that the organisation had with implementing the code effectively. The incumbent President of MARSECPRO is now continuing this work on behalf of all maritime security professionals.

Notwithstanding the challenges of applying the ICoC within the maritime domain, Trident the maritime wing of Red Cell Security Limited, acknowledges the spirit of the document in its formative stage in setting high standards of service provision in line with extant international standards.

In addition and in support of our clients, Trident, Red Cell seeks to implement as far as practicable and when necessary the following standards:

• The UN Global Compact;

• The Universal Declaration on Human Rights;

• The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (for the extractive industry);

• The Montrose Document;

• The UN Code of conduct for Law Enforcement Officials;

• The Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms.

Trident will be teaming up with KR Trauma Support to deliver specialist maritime security advice in support of the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Workshop

Trident has been selected as the lead maritime security consultancy to provide a comprehensive presentation on crew training, citadels and issues relating to armed security services.

Presentations will relate to recent IMO guidance on crew care for 2011, following the IMO Conference on Piracy: Orchestrating the Response, held at IMO Headquarters on 17 February 2011.

A key objective of the 2011 IMO theme is to provide care, during the post traumatic period, for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families.

Here is the link:

http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/Mitropoulos-and-Round-Table-maintain-anti-piracy-pressure.aspx

Testimonial from a foreign student attending the last Trident MSO course:

“I have now done my MSO course with Trident. This is my review.

“It was a 3 day course based in Poole. This course was not full, we were 5 students + the instructor Dave - a very easygoing and experienced instructor. For me, I hoped this course would give me some flesh to the bone seen from the operator’s side. And it absolutely did. It was 3 intensive days which included theory, table top exercises and a visit to a ship so we could see everything live and not only pictures on powerpoint.

“The course covered everything from laws and regulations for the MSO, to actual hardening the ship, MSO routine and etiquette, drills for crew and Maritime Security Team, do`s and dont`s, Code of Practice, basic seamanship, Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights ++++..

The table to exercises were great. You learn a lot when you have to do a brief for the `master`, on what your advice would be for hardening his ship. And if the captain initially is skeptical, you need to put your brain cells to work to convince him. Great stuff.

“Day 3 you embark a ship alongside in Poole. You can walk around, find the vulnerability points, talk to the master and crew, and really see and plan how you would do the task of secure the ship.
Spend your time wise on the coffee breaks. Dave is there for you if you have any questions. If you go beyond the set time for the day, no problem. We finished 8 pm every day mainly because we had more questions than experienced students.



“Lunch time every day we went to the harbour to have a look at super-yachts and other vessels which were alongside, before eating lunch. 
I recommend the gourmet chicken burger. Lunch is on Dave :-) 

Final day there is also the exam (multiple-choice). If you pay attention during the course you should make if. It covers everything you learnt in the three days.

“Everything is built up so you as an operator will learn as much as possible during the course.

Will I recommend it? As Nike says, just do it… Its perfect!

Nothing more to say than thank you Dave

The latest feedback received from students attending the Trident MSO course 3/11 in Poole Dorset was very positive.

Students stated that they benefited from the knowledge and experience of the instructors and felt confident that the MSO course prepared them well for the maritime security industry as a whole and not just for counter-piracy tasks. In particular they enjoyed the use of force and maritime threat presentations, as well as the group interaction exercises and importantly the practical ship walkthrough exercise.

Student comments and Testimonials:

"From a standing start, the MSO course student can understand the baseline criteria for a MARSEC operator

"Excellent use of force lecture and the ability to 'tease' out issues from students during discussions and table-top exercises

"Due to the range of MSO students experiences, the high quality instructors could engage classes and enable group participation and interaction"

JR.

"The course is more relevant for the actual work that would be carried out as a member of a maritime security team

"Classroom exercises for students was very good - not only for confirmation of course content, but also learning from other students experiences

"Ships familiarisation was very helpful - a picture paints a thousand words"!

CB.

"Table-top Lesson well conducted and relevant. Use of Force and Post Incident Procedures explained well"

MB.

"I have just completed the Trident Maritime Security Operators course held in Poole. I am an experienced CP operative and have my SSO, PFSP and CSO certificates. I was looking for a course that would deliver essential skills for entering the MARSEC industry - the Trident Maritime Security Operators course exceeded my expectations.

"This was a superb course. Trainers were from an experienced operational background and gave invaluable, real-time information on how to prepare, conduct yourself, respond and deliver as a MARSEC team member. I feel now that I am prepared mentally and have sufficient knowledge to operate to a high standard. I have been extremely lucky to get my first transit and I know the training I have had will stand me in good stead. Once I have a few more transits under my belt, I will be returning to complete the Trident Maritime Security Team Leaders course.

"This course delivers - it does what it says on the tin! Look Trident up and give them a call. I would also like to thank the trainers personally for such a good course".

SH.

"This course was recommended to me by a colleague and I attended the MSO course at the end of March 2011, following completion of the SSO course in February.

"The delivery of the course content by the instructors was second to none and with the experience of other students attending, having input into desktop discussion, this was invaluable.

"This is a well thought out and well constructed course with ALL the content being relevant to maritime security employment. I have already recommended this course to colleagues and am confident that their feedback will be similar".

Chris

Comments from International Students:

"I am a Norwegian ex-military and commercial diver from Stavanger that recently joined the Maritime Security Operator course in Poole.

"I am new to the MARSEC industry and was not sure what to expect, but during the last 20 years I've done lot's of different courses, both civilian and military. this course is one of the most informative that I have been on. I would like to say that I was very impressed at the level of knowledge the instructors had. I very much appreciated that their knowledge and experience covers anything from hands-on, to risk assessments, planning and execution, maritime law, human rights and of course your own responsibilities.

"I feel now confident to start working on a vessel or n installation. I really got a lot of answers that covered all my questions.

"I would definitely recommend this course to anyone that is serious about the industry and want to see what it's all about. It is also for those that have been around for a while.

"Thank you Trident"!

KH.

Other comments received:

"Good Instruction, enjoyed the course and now I am more aware about the MSO role. I consider that the course has prepared me well"

"Understanding Maritime Law and Maritime Agencies was an important aspect of the course".

The latest Trident Maritime Security Operators course was another great success. Students cam from as far as Norway to benefit from this high quality course. They were exposed to a wealth of information relating to the maritime security industry:

• Important aspects of Maritime Law and Rules on Use of Force and how it affects them when employed on maritime security tasks;
• Table-top response drills - working through a realistic scenario as a group;
• Practical ship familiarisation exercise;
• Post incident procedures;
• Basic Admiralty chart and navigation training;
• Lessons learnt and top-tips on the maritime security operators role from industry specialists - actually working in the industry.

Why not check out when we re next running a course and get on board with what is fast becoming the industry standard maritime security operators course.

In response to a clear requirement to improve the standards of service within the maritime security industry, RED CELL has partnered with Evolutionary Security of Canada and Marine Risk Management SA to create a new Maritime Security Professionals body called The International Association of Maritime Security Professionals (IAMSP).

IAMSP is a true not-for-profit association of those practicing within the Maritime Security domain. It’s mission is to raise the standards associated with maritime security by adhering to the best practices associated with professional associations.

Maritime Security focuses on the protection of persons, assets, facilities, information and activities within the martime community. The maritime community is generally defined as being directly involved in or having a significant interest in the movement of persons or goods across oceans, seas or international waterways.

This Association includes perspectives from various naval (military) forces and the merchant marine. We intend to take a balanced approach that respects the cultures of both communities, as reflected in our management structure.

We welcome a variety of perspectives and opinions, believing that critical thinking can lead to more sound practices and concepts within the domain. For that reason, we place a significant emphasis on research and communication within the Association. We also seek those opinions from outside traditional membership communities–the academic and training institutions that will provide the next generation of leaders within the industry.

As professionals, we are committed to conduct our affairs in line with a Code of Practice and to uphold the Constitution of the Association. This is a condition of membership and each member is held to the same standard. Our expectations as a community are clearly communicated within this webspace and include the Constitution, Code of Practice, Membership Criteria and expectations associated with the use of this webspace.

As an Association, we provide value to our members through membership, the ability to benefit from peer review and analysis, training and development opportunities and other efforts. We also pride ourselves on being open to our membership in exploring new ways for them to both benefit from their membership and promote the values of the association abroad.

A link to the IAMSP website can be found here: http://www.iamsponline.org/

Once again Trident Operations was invited to support the International Maritime Bureau Anti-Piracy Workshop at St. Katherine’s Docks, London on March 12th 2010.

During the workshop, Trident delivered a comprehensive presentation on the piracy threat to shipping at the operational level and how to prepare a vessel for transit through high threat waters globally.

During the afternoon session, Trident also managed the table-top exercise which followed the scenario of a ship hijack in the Somali Basin. The exercise encouraged participation from all delegates, working in groups and helped to incorporate and summarise aspects of the day’s presentations that had been delivered during the workshop. This included up to date intelligence on the threat off Somalia, the legal issues relating to the payment of ransoms, as well as the challenges of hostage negotiation and corporate crises management during a hijack incident.

One of the big lessons of the day was that it became clear that as a minimum, Masters, as the key decision maker on board a vessel, should be given the essential knowledge and skills to prepare them for passages in high risk waters. It was also noted that corporate crisis or incident management teams required regular training and exercises, in order to be adequately prepared for such scenarios.

Trident is able to offer similar and bespoke Anti-piracy workshop packages to corporate clients, as well as the unique Masters Security Awareness course. For more information contact admin@tridentoperations.com or check out the training Page at http://www.tridentoperations.com/training.php

Trident Operations has produced a new online Booking system.

The new course booking system is designed to make it easier for clients to get detailed information on the course that most suits their needs and importantly it provides a quick and easy way of booking onto the relevant course.

Why not find out more on the Trident Training page at: http://www.tridentoperations.com/training.php

International Maritime Bureau Anti-Piracy Course 3rd November 2009 - Ex Socotra Table-top Exercise

Trident Operations, the Maritime Wing of RED CELL delivered a presentation on 'Dealing with a Hijack Incident - Operational Level' and ran Exercise SOCOTRA; the Table-top exercise.

The scenario-based exercise focussed on a commercial Tanker making a routine transit through the Gulf of Aden and took delegates through the process of a Hijack incident, exploring a range of issues faced by the Master and crew of a stricken vessel, as well as the important responses required from the corporate Incident Management Team.

"The Socotra table-top exercise highlighted the practical issues facing Owners and Masters as they transit the waters off Somalia. The delegates on the workshop advised that they found it useful."

Captain Pottengal Mukundan
Director ICC-Commercial Crimes Services

Trident Operations is to deliver specialist maritime security advice and a table-top exercise on behalf of the International Maritime Bureau.

Trident has been selected as the lead maritime security consultancy to provide a comprehensive presentation on dealing with piracy and hijacking at sea; practical ways of securing your ship.

Trident will also deliver the table-top exercise; a key element of the course. The exercise will expose the challenges faced by a ships crew and explore appropriate responses to a ship hijack incident.

Link:

http://www.icc-ccs.org/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=7:IMB%20Maritime%20Piracy%20-%20Practical%20Workshop&Itemid=18