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IInsightsMARITIME SECURITYBoundaries, Standards and the Business of IntegrityBy Charlie ButterworthAs maritime security evolves, so too is the need for increased and standardized professionalism in theranks of Private Maritime Security Companies.In many respects, the maritimesecurity industry is still in adolescence.The growing pains associatedwith speed of expansion haveled to disparity in terms of acceptablebehavior and confusion over appropriateconduct. This disparity is echoed inthe PMSCs themselves - there are thosewho strive to lead the way in terms ofprofessionalism and others who struggleto keep up with reasonable minimumstandards. Although some ownersmay be happy to accept a moreliberal approach to maritime security,when it comes to deploying men withguns on ships, there is no room for allowingimmaturity. The stakes are toohigh.What the industry continues to needare clearer boundaries and standards.This, coupled with an ethos of integrity,is central to securing the confi denceand respect of the shipping market,not least so for those shipowners andoperators who understand the tangiblevalue attached to reputation.Fortunately, there continues to be adetermination to professionalize theindustry; the ISO/PAS 28007 standard,as well as amendments to German lawprovide clear examples of how privatemaritime security is maturing.ISO/PAS 28007In the short history of privatemaritime security there has neverbeen one universal standard; a definitivebenchmark that comprehensivelyencapsulates every aspect ofa private maritime security company(PMSC) and how it should be deliveringits services effectively. Untilnow, that is.Initiated in 2012, ISO/PAS 28007(annexed to the ISO 28000 SecurityManagement System) was formulatedwithin six months, making itsestablishment one of the fastest inISO history. However, that speed isin no way reflective of the depth ofthe standard, but rather the necessityof an internationally recognizedstandard to support ship owners andoperators in effectively evaluatingPMSCs. It sets the benchmark forPMSCs who want to demonstrateto the international community thatthey, and the operatives they supply,are of the right quality to legally,safely and effectively guard commercialshipping on the high seas.ISO 28000 is a risk based qualitymanagement system for the securityof operations and activities conductedby organizations. ISO 28007 setsout guidance for applying ISO 28000to PMSCs and key components fallinto two main groups; managementof the security system and proceduralaspects. Management of thesecurity system includes areas suchas security risk assessments, clearlydefined management responsibilities,internal audits of operations,and legal and other regulatory requirements.Procedural aspects encapsulaterules of authority, contractorselection, screening and vetting,training, authorizing licensing offirearms, prevention of incidents, incidentmanagement and emergencyresponse, investigation and reportingof incidents, procedures for detainment,identification, interface withcrew and familiarization.The United Kingdom AccreditationService (UKAS) is the solenational body recognised by governmentto assess evaluating organizations,such as certification bodies,against international standards.UKAS has been appointed to assesscompanies offering certification toISO/PAS 28007, verifying that theyare using competent assessors withthe correct qualifications and thatrigorous and tested auditing processesare followed. The importanceof thorough and independent assessmentagainst recognized standards(UKAS accreditation) is key to theconfidence of the shipping market.It is vital that auditing standards arenot undermined and that PMSCs arenot tempted by a certification bodythat is not internationally-accredited.UKAS began assessment of thecertification bodies’ in June and aimsto complete the pilot project by theend of the year. This will allow appropriatetime for those certificationbodies taking part to train its auditorsto the rigorous requirements demandedby ISO/PAS 28007. In themeantime ship owners can continueto work with the ISO/PAS 28007document as guidelines to indepen-52 | Maritime Professional | 4Q 2013