1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 2011),
approved Interim recommendations for flag States regarding the use of privately
contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area.
2 Given the importance and urgent nature of this issue, and the need to further develop
and promulgate detailed guidance and recommendations as soon as possible, the Committee
approved and the Council authorized the convening of an intersessional meeting of the
Maritime Security and Piracy Working Group (13 to 15 September 2011) to update the
recommendations.
3 The interim recommendations were further revised by the Maritime Safety Committee at
its ninetieth session (16 to 25 May 2012) to take into account minor consequential
amendments arising from the development of the interim guidance to private maritime
security companies set out in MSC.1/Circ.1443 on Interim guidance to private maritime security companies
providing privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High
Risk Area.
4 The interim recommendations were again revised by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
ninety-fifth session (3 to 12 June 2015), taking into account publication of
International Standard ISO 28007 on certification of PMSC.
5 The Revised interim recommendations for flag States regarding the use of privately
contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area is set out in
the annex.
6 The attached revised interim recommendations should be read in conjunction with the
interim guidance and recommendations set out in MSC.1/Circ.1443; MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.2 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 MSC.1/Circ.1408/Rev.1 on Revised interim recommendations for port and
coastal States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on
board ships in the High Risk Area,footnote and the information provided in MSC-FAL.1/Circ.2 on
Questionnaire on information on port and coastal State requirements related to
privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, as well as the
other recommendations and guidance developed by the Organization for preventing and
suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships.
7 Member Governments are urged to bring this circular to the attention of all national
agencies concerned with anti-piracy activities, shipowners, ship operators, shipping
companies, shipmasters and crews.
8 Member Governments are also urged to take any necessary action to implement, as
appropriate, the revised interim recommendations given in the annex.
9 Member Governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations
with consultative status are invited to bring to the attention of the Committee, at the
earliest opportunity, the results of the experience gained from the use of the revised
interim recommendations so as to assist the Committee in deciding on any action to be
taken.
10 MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.2 is hereby revoked.