New Maritime Assistance Card set to benefit all involved in the maritime industry says Securewest International
Date: 21/10/2005
Fittingly, The Britannia Royal Naval College (Devon, UK) played host on Trafalgar Day to the product launch of global maritime security expert Securewest International’s latest service - The Maritime Assistance Card (MAC), which the company believes is the first such system to deliver ‘one stop’, cost efficient, easy solutions to the shipping industry’s security headaches and problems with compliance issues.
The impressive surroundings and facilities at the college enabled Securewest International’s staff to demonstrate the mechanics of the MAC system to trade press and show how such a service can radically ease the constant security demands placed on shipping companies and over-stretched Company Security Officers. Equally of benefit to Shipping Agents, Admiralty lawyers or port facilities, the Maritime Assistance Card service simplifies the rigours of complex security regulation through a professionally manned Maritime Assistance Center available night and day, everyday of the year.
Introduction of the ISPS Regulations on July 1st, 2004 placed a security compliance burden on most vessels, Masters, operating companies and ports in the world, and recent incidents at sea have only served to highlight the fact that not only is there a need for guidance and advice for Masters and crew in ISPS and Compliance matters, but also in an unforeseen emergency.
These burdens plus frequent client led experience such as a surprise incident in 2003, were the inspiration behind the MAC project for Securewest. International, highlighting not only the importance of providing immediate advice to shipping companies in what were difficult situations, but being able to manage a complex case over a period of time with many different parties.
“A stabbing incident aboard a client vessel two years ago was the watershed,” says Securewest Vice President, Paul Singer. “There was a gap in the market and from that moment on we knew that there was a need for Masters, Company Security Officers, indeed anyone involved in shipping today to have our details readily at hand when needed in a security crisis.”
The mechanics of the Maritime Assistance Card are straightforward. Starting at just $60 per month per vessel, inclusive of SSAS monitoring, every vessel registered with the Maritime Assistance Card service is provided with a uniquely identified set of numbered Maritime Assistance Cards for principal members of the crew and the CSO ashore.
This ensures that a card holder is only one call or email away from a permanently manned Maritime Assistance Center providing immediate advice on security matters (ISPS/MTSA regulations), up to date port or route threat assessments to navigate through troubled waters, piracy warnings updates and alerts, e-newsletter information and immediate access to a vast wealth of additional resources 24/7/365.
The MAC has already proved popular in trials with Securewest International’s clients. “With our entire fleet registered with the Maritime Assistance Center I know that whatever time of day or night a vessel needs assistance or an alert is triggered it will be dealt with professionally and efficiently“, says Gary Fleeger, Senior Vessel Manager and CSO of Matson Navigation. “Cost effective security and peace of mind is what I need and that is what I’ve got, I even managed to take a short vacation safe in the knowledge that security alert issues were in capable hands.”
Equally straightforward and unique are the easy registration and onward management, which can all be conducted via a secure internet connection with a login readily accessible at www.securewest.com. Once securely logged in Maritime Assistance Card clients can view existing vessel cover details, add more vessels including SSAS details and procedures, order additional or replacement cards or edit principal changes to their account or vessel details. For security purposes the whole area has been SSL secured.
“In market tests we determined that the requirements for SSAS monitoring and responding to alerts in a timely manner as set down by the relevant authorities was complimentary to the 24/7/365 availability of our Maritime Assistance Center,” continues Singer. “It was therefore decided to offer a combined service for one monthly fee thus ensuring a complete, integrated security solution to give the busy Company Security Officer total peace of mind. There is nothing like it on the market today.”
Again, uniquely, Securewest International’s Maritime Assistance Center can act as the designated authority in the event of a SSAS alert, establishing immediate contact with the vessel, conducting verification procedures and notifying relevant flag state administrations of the alert status within any determined time frame.
The Center can then continue to notify other parties and liase with vessel, company, and appropriate authorities as required. Already approved by the United Kingdom’s Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and other flag states, shipping companies can be secure in the knowledge that their vessel’s security is in safe hands.
The flexibility of MAC is also a key feature. MAC can be issued to individual ships or facilities, or an entire fleet of vessels and means that ship owners and operators no longer have to ask themselves who is monitoring their SSAS and whether they really are in a position to respond to a SSAS alert or emergency day or night, any day of the year. Extensive trials since April 2005 have shown that the Maritime Assistance Card provides an invaluable aid for a quick response to urgent security questions and situations.
American Roll on Roll Off Carriers (ARC) are another one of Securewest International’s clients to take up on the scheme and they are certainly enthusiastic about the capabilities of MAC and its effect on the ARC fleet. “The 8Points of the Security Compass e-newsletter and the efficient despatch of email MAC Alerts warning us in advance of security related events specific to our vessel routes has been extremely valuable,” commented Ray Camarda, General Manager, Vessel Operations and Planning. “Our Masters and crew know that they have the back up of security professionals if they ever need it. “