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Cruise Shipping Report Security Issues Continue to top Cruise Agenda By Paul Singer, VP Business Development, Securewest International The millions of dollars ring-fenced by the U.S. government for funding riskbased training and exercises at port facilities in the U.S. demonstrates the importance of the training provision within the security mix today. Instilling a culture of 'thinking security' through training is now as important as 'thinking safety'. The cruise industry, like the port facility sector and many others in the maritime domain, is no different. Training for those working in the cruise industry is on the up in a bid to improve further its image by ensuring a highly trained workforce is onboard such vessels. We should remember that commercial cargo vessels are still most at risk from seaward attack but it is a sad fact that, in the post 9/11 era, no vessel type can be considered as being 'off limits' from attack or threat by pirates or terror groups. On the whole the cruise industry has a good track record when it comes to issues of maritime security, both on board and from seaward attacks. The simple truth is that cruise ship attacks are rare because they are difficult to successfully board, or to put it another way, commercial cargo vessels provide easier access. Unlike commercial vessels, routes are not dependent on traveling through pirate-infested waters or in areas where terror groups may roam in fast moving small boats. Piracy in particular ebbs and flows, and hot spots flare up several times a year. Unlike commercial cargo shipping, cruise vessels can (and will) avoid such areas if they continue to fester in one region of the globe. In addition, cruise ships always screen all of their passengers and their belongings. They have numerous trained security officers on board who are operating surveillance equipment and high-tech communications devices, as well as, in some cases, a range of non-lethal weapons to thwart attacks. But complacency can often become your first enemy. Just because you are used to operating in a safe environment doesn't mean you can afford to take your eye off the security ball. Frequently it's the most obvious rules that are forgotten for no other reason other than familiarity. Training is a counter to this and should revisit tasks such as conducting proper checks and searches, playing out scenarios, as well as operation of security equipment in particular. Even nonlethal weapons can do a lot of damage to passengers and/or crew, if the operator concerned lacks good training. Continuity training is also a key aspect to effective cruise ship security. The US Coast Guard can come onboard at anytime in a US port and test drill procedures. Rehearsal is therefore essential and we have found that the more interesting we make the situation the more the client gets out of it and, as a result, more is taken in. When it comes to onboard bomb alert training for instance, we will take each cruise ship department separately on a 14-day rotational basis going though search techniques required to look for suspect devices. Post 'event' training is as vital. Observing human rights and proper respect for the individuals detained is as imperative as searching them thoroughly and safely. Once you have identified intruders you must treat them correctly or face the consequences later. Whatever ones opinion of human rights, the fact remains that the last thing anyone wants is the unwanted publicity of a potential abuse of human rights on their doorstep. Looking back into the not so distant past it is possible to see that the attack on the Seabourn Spirit demonstrated that, with sound training of those on board responsible for security, it is possible to repel aggressors without the use of arms through the effectiveness of security measures and countermeasures. Millions of people board cruise ships each year in search of fun and relaxation. Cruise ship executives say that crime victims are only a small fraction of those who travel. But crime committed on board presents it own complications concerning legal jurisdiction over the vessel when it's at sea. For example when Americans go on cruise ships, in theory they carry with them the protection of the FBI. In practice few cases are ever investigated by the FBI and overt security is not necessarily the main focus for an industry that is prides itself on an image of luxurious enjoyment. Equally, in a five month period last year, the cruise industry in the US reported 207 suspected crimes on board vessels to the FBI and critics say securi- ty guards aboard some cruise ships are ill-equipped to handle serious crimes that do occur. Cruise companies normally rely on former FBI or former police officers working out of their company office to investigate crimes onboard. It can often take days for the people to arrive on board depending on the cruise itinerary. This leaves ample time for destruction of evidence, collaboration among witnesses and other actions that can jeopardise investigations. Although recently the larger cruise companies have started to employ plain clothed surveillance operatives, there are often reports of poorly trained Ship Security Officers not taking down vital information and witness statements, failing to gather evidence in an effective manner, and generally hindering future investigations. But then in truth, SSO training does not (as a mandate) require training in crime scene preservation and other criminal related acts that could occur on board a cruise ship. Rare they may be, but attacks from the sea in dangerous waters can and do occur. Cruise ships do offer a ripe target for terror groups and pirates alike precisely because they carry passengers and valuable equipment. The taking of a cruise ship would provide any terrorist faction with what they crave - huge amounts of exposure. The memory of the Achille Lauro incident in October 1985 when 400 passengers were highjacked and taken hostage by the Palestine Liberation Front off the coast of Egypt, still lives on for many both in and outside the industry. Therefore the internal and external threats are clearly apparent and the importance of security on cruise vessels is a growing concern. Improvement in Cruise Passenger Terminals post ISPS means that training courses have to cater for the differences between passenger ship security and cargo ship security, and cruise ship security training is now expected to mirror that of airports. The net result is that training has to be of the highest standard and often much broader in scope. With level of expectation now pitched higher, the weight has to be taken up by personnel who might already be stretched with day-to day duties. This is precisely why effective training is key. A little quality time spent on effective training could save not just time but About the Author Paul Singer joined Securewest International in 2003 following 10 years service as a Special Constable with the police force in the United Kingdom and a successful business career. He is now responsible for Securewest International's business development worldwide. Visit www.securewest.com money in the form of fines and additional costs, and ultimately lives. On-line training packages can assist greatly with existing personnel who are already fully engaged in day-to-day duties. In a busy workplace on-line training can be individually tailored in order to help counter such pressures on companies, and provides a convenient, cost effective method of delivering training to a wide range and large number of personnel. In the field of maritime security no two client's needs are the same and so, unlike many CD based training provisions, on-line training should be individually tailored, designed and branded to suit individual client's requirements improving knowledge and understanding of current security threats, patterns that may diminish a vessel's security posture and increase awareness of security in their own working environment. Let's not forget also that this is a twoway street, and that the trainers should be part of this process too. Trainers should be testing the effectiveness of communications, notification, and coordination resources and always try to include as many companies, facility and government entities as possible in exercises to better show the participants how all aspects of the responding resources interact together. What also helps in our experience is being able to make the exercise vessel specific, or incorporating a facility or other port, and frequently playing the part of the 'bad guy' using simulators to Maritime Reporter & Engineering News 30