UK government guidance document on use of armed guards against piracy - November 2011
Interim guidance to UK flagged shipping on the use of armed guards to defend against the threat of piracy in exceptional circumstances
This pdf document sets out the UK government’s policy on the use of armed guards onboard UK ships and the exceptional circumstances under which their use may be considered.
The guidance stresses the importance of conducting a full risk assessment before taking a decision to use armed guards, and the factors that should be included in such a risk assessment.
Selection and contractingIt also includes the process that a shipping company should go through to satisfy themselves as to the reputability and suitability of a private security company (PSC). The range of factors that should be considered and included in a contract between a shipping company and a PSC before appointing them are also covered.
Establishment & briefingAdvice is given on deciding upon the size and composition of the security team, and the firearms and related equipment available to effectively and lawfully defend the ship from pirate attack including the storage, handling and movement of firearms;
Command and control of the security team, including the Master's authority. The recommendations include producing a counter-piracy plan, providing DoT with a copy and registration with the appropriate organisations who monitor regional pirate activity in the high risk area;
In the event of an attackThe section on what to do when under attack, includes guidance on developing rules on the use of force as well as what to do following an incident.
The contents of this thirty-five page document are set out below.
CONTENTS
IntroductionThe piracy threat; The use of armed guards onboard UK flagged ships; Exceptional circumstances; Private security companies; Other supporting guidance
Risk assessmentPreliminary voyage risk assessment; Further mitigation measures; Armed guards risk assessment
Selection of a Private Security Company (PSC)General checks; Specific checks; Individual armed guards; Training of personnel; Contractual agreements; Insurance
Security Team Size, Composition and EquipmentSize and composition of the security team; Firearms, ammunition and security equipment; Excess personnel
The Master’s authority; and command and controlStorage, handling and movement of firearmsFirearms and ammunitions log; Storage; Handling of firearms; Carriage of firearms outside of the HRA; Transiting foreign territorial seas with firearms onboard; Foreign ports; UK ports and territorial seas; UK Export and Trade controls
Liaison with MSCHOA and UKMTOWhen under attack by piratesFirst follow BMP; The use of force
Post-incidentPiracy follow-up report; Firearms incident report; Post-incident investigation
Post-deployment reportAnnexesCounter-Piracy Plan; Contact details; Crime scene investigation
Downloads
-
Interim Guidance to UK Flagged Shipping on the Use of Armed Guards to Defend Against the Threat of Piracy in Exceptional Circumstances (205 KB)
23/02/2016
Download PDF
You may also be interested in:
On the 29th September 2020 the ICS published the attached guidelines for ship operators for protecting seafarers during Covid-19, this publication has been supported by the International Group.
Legal Update: 2018 HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules - in effect from 1st November 2018
17/01/2019
The Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (“HKIAC”) completed a comprehensive revision of its Rules at the end of last year. The 2018 HKIAC Rules, hereafter “the New Rules”, came into effect on 1st November 2018. They are accompanied by a Practice Note on the Appointment of Arbitrators (“Practice Note”) which came into effect on the same day.
Fundamental dishonesty – A new regime
07/04/2016
From 13th April 2015, the Courts and Criminal Justice Act 2015 ("the Act") provided Defendants with the possibility of striking out a personal injury claim on the basis of fundamental dishonesty. This was a significant development in the ways open to Defendants of fighting back against fraudulent claims.