Security
About the Author
Dorota Szulc is a Consultant with Hansard Security Services, based at the Baltic Exchange, in London. Hansard Security Services provide Security Management and Consultancy Services
duties, who are not security guarding qualified (and therefore are not security trained), are categorized as of no major relevance. However, the reality is that they are the first contact points on a daily basis and are conducting an initial threat assessment. They are only trained internally in the restricted scope. They should be given additional assistance/briefing on a regular basis, on the recent maritime security issues, threats and emergency situation handling by the government institutions. The institutions, on the other hand, would need their officers to be trained in maritime security at the local level to be able to provide this kind of assistance to the commercial entities. The system which should be designed to assist and prevent is not yet sufficiently efficient. Port facility operators particularly have highlighted the fact of lack of security exercises conducted together with Port Authorities and relevant governmental institutions. There have been no a single security exercise conducted in conjunction with governmental institutions at our clients' premises either in UK, or abroad. Communication and liaison with all these bodies, although being established in Port Facility Security Plans and manuals, have not yet been sufficiently exercised, if at all. Thus the question is raised, what will be the communication link in case of real security threat? Small port facilities still feel unsupported while the demands of the new legal/paralegal maritime security requirements are being executed by officials. This results in a wide existing unawareness in port facilities about the real threats and the reluctance of selfpreparation, involvement and investment in enhancing security in port facilities.
for UK and multinational companies based in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. A consultant since 2005, Dorota Szulc's career has spanned both governmental and commercial organizations in
UK and abroad after a Masters Degree in Maritime Law (LLM) from Southampton University. For additional information, Email:
services@hansardsecurity.com
Conclusion
The maritime security system in small ports although covering the majority of legal requirements, is inflexible and currently unexercised. From experience on the Continent and the Middle East, the conclusion is straightforward: although the system is working, it is not efficient. Small port entities are particularly sensitive and most likely targets to be used by terrorist -- not as the attack aims, but as the entry points allowing people and explosive devices to be transported unnoticed into and out of that country.
November 2007 29