Armed guards on board: quality matters!

Published: 10 December 2024

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ISO 28007 Certification: A baseline for trust

PMSCs should hold ISO 28007 certification, an internationally recognized standard for providing private maritime security services. This certification help ensure that the PMSC adheres to rigorous operational, safety, and legal practices, offering clients a reliable benchmark for assessing service quality.

The role of GUARDCON in defining standards

BIMCO’s GUARDCON contract has set industry standards for the employment of PMSCs. Shipowners should insist on compliance with these provisions, which include:

• Team sizes: GUARDCON specifies appropriate team sizes to ensure comprehensive coverage for the vessel’s security needs. Deploying fewer guards than necessary undermines the operation's effectiveness and compromises safety
• Insurance requirements: PMSCs must provide adequate insurance, including public and employers' liability, as well as comprehensive cover for personal injury, loss, or damage to property
• Clarity of roles and responsibilities: GUARDCON ensures clear definitions of obligations for both the shipowner and the PMSC, minimising potential disputes. 

Weapon ownership and certification 

Shipowners must request and review End User Certificates (EUCs) for all weapons used or offered by the PMSC. These certificates confirm that the weapons are legally obtained and used. 

Training standards for armed guards 

Proper training is critical for the effective delivery of security services and the safety of all parties involved. However, instances of sub-standard training among armed guards remain a concern. There are recent examples from the southern Red Sea where deployed armed guards are visibly unable to perform the tasks for which they were assigned. Shipowners should therefore demand up-to-date training certificates for the personnel assigned to their vessels, ensuring adherence to established industry standards. 

Sufficient numbers of guards 

Deploying an adequate number of guards is non-negotiable for effective security measures. Alarmingly, reports of PMSCs offering drastically reduced manpower level –sometimes as low as one guard for operations requiring multiple personnel – highlight a dangerous cost-cutting trend that compromises vessel security. 

BIMCO’s GUARDCON include provisions for security teams of at least four members, one of whom must be an appropriately experienced leader. Four is the minimum number of guards necessary to operate an efficient round-the-clock watch on board a vessel during a transit and provide the required level of protection. Certain circumstances, such as a lack of accommodation on board, may preclude a four-man team being deployed; however, accepting any less than four guards should be agreed carefully on a case-by-case basis between owners and contractors and should follow a proper risk analysis. 

Document validity: a critical compliance issue 

Expired documentation – whether for weapons, guards, or the PMSC itself – poses a certain risk. Shipowners must verify the validity of all certifications and licenses, ensuring compliance with industry and regulatory standards. Regulation will vary between different flag states, and it is advisable to coordinate with flag state authorities, insurers, and P&I Clubs to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met. 

Financial stability: an often overlooked risk

A PMSC’s financial stability is as important as its operational standards. There have been documented instances where financially insolvent PMSCs failed to pay their guards, leading to dangerous situations, including guards attempting to seize control of vessels. If a PMSC becomes insolvent, the shipowner may be forced to handle the repatriation of guards and weapons at significant cost and risk. Checking a PMSC’s financial health can prevent such crises. 

Conclusion 

The stakes are too high to cut corners when hiring armed guards for maritime security. By adhering to international standards like ISO 28007, leveraging the robust provisions of GUARDCON, and conducting thorough due diligence on training, documentation, weapon certification, manpower, and financial stability, shipowners and operators can ensure the safety of their vessels and crews. Quality matters, and in maritime security, it can mean the difference between a successful voyage and a costly disaster. 

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