Operational competence
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1443 – Interim Guidance to Private Maritime Security Companies Providing Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in the High Risk Area1 – (25 May 2012) - Annex – Interim Guidance to Private Maritime Security Companies Providing Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in the High Risk Area1 - 3 PMSC company requirements - Operational competence

Operational competence

  3.8 PMSC should have professional capability to carry out their role, which is the protection of persons on board and the ship against unlawful attack, using only that force which is strictly necessary and reasonable. In particular PMSC should be able to provide documentary evidence, which may include:

  • .1 maritime (as opposed to land-based) experience;

  • .2 documented and implemented company procedures and policies for PCASP operations including, but not limited to, communication, leadership, chain of authority, change in command (in the event, for example, of incapacity of the team leader), responsibilities in life saving;

  • .3 a written policy on the procurement, transport, carriage, storage, embarkation and disembarkation and use of firearms in accordance with relevant legal requirements;

  • .4 a clear policy on the rules for the use of force based on the consideration of several scenarios and providing a graduated response plan;

  • .5 a documented, robust and auditable health safety security environment policy with regard to incident investigation;

  • .6 a process for post incident actions to support State authority investigations/prosecution should a formal investigation be required; and

  • .7 written testimonials/references from previous clients in the maritime industry.


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