Pre-voyage security review of vessel and counter-piracy procedures

Control Risks was tasked by a maritime surveyor with significant experience of the oil and gas sector to carry out a security review of a survey vessel and its associated counter-piracy procedures ahead of a proposed voyage around the Horn of Africa to the Suez Canal. Our consultant quickly determined that the vessel posed an easy and attractive target to potential boarders because of its low speed and low freeboard.

Our consultant showed the client how by introducing a combination of physical barriers and human barriers (piracy watches and anti-piracy drills), by observing a heightened state of awareness in critical areas and by avoiding certain piracy ‘hotspots’ the vessel owner could substantially decrease the risk to the asset and personnel. The client was sufficiently impressed by the experience and recommendations of our consultant that it asked Control Risks to deploy the consultant to the vessel for the duration of its voyage, to assist in the coordination of its counter-piracy efforts and oversee repairs and improvements to technical security measures. The following activities were carried out:

• Review of physical security measures on board the vessel
• Confirmation that the procedures detailed in the ship security plan were robust and effective
• Review of the anticipated route plan and identification of potential risks, accompanied by recommendations to improve the security profile of the vessel
• Confirmation of response capability in the event of an attack
• Implementation of robust security posture in harbour and regular en-route threat assessment

Passage-specific corporate maritime security and crisis management support

Control Risks was approached by a major shipping company that had become increasingly concerned about the threat posed to its vessels, and in particular to an FPSO vessel scheduled to transit from Singapore to a major European port, through waters with a high piracy threat level. The organization asked Control Risks to propose a solution that would minimize risks to the vessel and also enhance its corporate-level procedures and structures for dealing with potential crisis situations, including pirate attacks.

As a result we carried out a passage risk assessment of the FPSO’s proposed transit route and carried out a review of security measures on the FPSO. Prior to the vessel’s departure we led an incident management workshop at the company’s headquarters, which allowed the organization to consider and lay down procedures that would be effected in response to a piracy incident, or with some modification to any crisis situation. We helped the client develop first response and communications protocols, and to establish a more effective crisis management organization.

Given the short period of time between our security review of the vessel and its scheduled departure time the client was not able to carry out all of our consultant’s physical security recommendations. As a result our consultant was deployed on the vessel for the duration of its transit, and was able to carry out a range of training and counter-piracy observation work during this period.

Tightening of port and vessel security following piracy attacks

Following a number of piracy attacks in the region, Control Risks was asked to provide a leading oil and gas company with a risk assessment of a port facility in Nigeria.  Our client asked Control Risks to assess the risks to its port facilities and recommend what measures would be necessary to ensure the safety of its premises and staff.

The survey and subsequent report explored the political and security situation in the region and drew conclusions as to the likelihood of future attacks. The report also highlighted some major security weaknesses relating to both port and vessel, and provided recommendations for improvement along with an implementation plan that Control Risks was instrumental in initiating on behalf of the client.

Emergency response following piracy incidents off Somalia

Control Risks regularly advises on piracy cases around the Horn of Africa. In a recent case an attack had been carried out against a European-owned commercial cargo vessel of which all crew members had been taken hostage. The case lasted over 80 days and concluded with the successful release of the ship and crew on the basis of a negotiated resolution. A similar case lasted almost 50 days and concluded with the successful release of the ship and the crew on the basis of a negotiated resolution. In both cases Control Risks assistance in liaison with the relevant national law enforcement, military and governmental authorities proved to be a critical influence on the outcome.