OCEANS SHIELD MARITIME & LAND SECURITY 1
ARMED AND DANGEROUS: MANAGING THE RISK OF PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTORS Our consultancy model is designed to specifically help our clients select the best optimum cost security provider, mitigate the due diligence risks and achieve absolute compliance. This approach provides clients with a safety framework to manage the logistical, compliance and legal risks of engaging armed security personnel. The risk management benefits can then be leveraged against improved costs across the company s related insurances. Commander Bennett 2 3
WEAPON LICENSES COWBOYS FINES MANSLAUGHTER BRIBERY ACT CLUB COVER SOLAS ACCOUNTABILITY FLAG APPROVALS RULES OF ENGAGEMENT CIVIL SUITS LIABILITY LIMITS KNOCK FOR KNOCK CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS LIABILITY INSURANCE TESTIMONIALS BMP 4 VETTING PROCEDURES 2 4 INDUSTRY ISSUES Although there has been a reduction in the total number of reported piracy incidents in the HRA of the Indian Ocean, piracy continues to cause shipowners, charterers and traders significant financial and operational challenges. The risks to life and property, not least in the face of the increasing number and aggression of attacks in West Africa, are as prevalent today as the 2010 and 2011 period. But managing that risk has changed. Whilst the compliance process has led to improved and transparent standards in the deployment of Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC s), the shipping industry continues to have serious reservations concerning the majority of PMSC s capabilities and maturity in the maritime security field. Despite IMO s revised guidance on the engagement of armed security personnel and the well intended objectives of organizations such as SAMI, ICOC, BIMCO and the International Group of P&I Clubs, there remain complex legal issues associated with the use of security companies. In particular there are still significant variations in competence, quality and price across the spectrum of contractors offering services. Apart from the expense issue, the major concern for the industry is the level of due diligence required to satisfy the flag state and the associated requirements of the insurers that the selected PMSC is fit for purpose. It can be disastrous to cut corners on the compliance process. The impact on the stakeholder chain from the risk of insurance avoidance, fines and detention costs can be ruinous. Most companies manage the diligence process without the required level of vetting expertise stipulated by IMO to identify reliable, professional armed security providers. Hence our role. Commander Toothtill 5
OCEANS SHIELD SECURITY SERVICE Our service is unique. We drill down on each individual security company in order to ensure they are fit for purpose; hold all the necessary licenses; employ the appropriate personnel; use legitimate sources for weapons procurement; use well-established local agents and of course evaluate and benchmark the competitiveness of each proposed contractor. manage the entire process from procurement of the company through to disembarkation and post transit report: Contract acceptance (P&I/HM/K&R) Flag Approval Criminal background checks License authenticity Security team credentials and experience Weapon selection Intelligence support UKMTO/MSC HOA liaison BMP4 adherence Insurance compliance By only selecting first class security providers who have a proven track record, our consultancy model is designed to provide clients with a risk framework to mitigate the due diligence process by achieving absolute compliance. The risk management benefits can then be leveraged across the company s related insurances. By forging security and insurance management expertise our aim is to achieve both significant cost savings for the shipowner and peace of mind in dealing with the complex risk issues of employing security companies. Commander Bennett 4 7
INSURANCE ISSUES There are literally hundreds of Iraq and Afghanistan expatriates setting up shop, never having been aboard a ship before, much less knowing how to defend it. The piracy scourge raises complex P&I, Hull & Machinery, K&R, Loss of Hire and War insurance issues: We have fears that a glut of inexperienced and unqualified so-called maritime security operators are bringing the legit guys into disrepute. Private security in the marine sector is currently not regulated in the way that it is on land. There is a big worry this has opened the door to a lot of cowboys. Despite the introduction of Guardcon, a move towards accredited standards and common RUF procedures, the deployment of armed security personnel adds a further complication to the insurance picture. Security approvals are now a common warranty for all the policies. Mismanagement of the approval process can be costly. At worst the insurers may have the right to avoid the policy, but typically without a professional presentation of the security arrangements, the risk is priced higher - in some cases by 50%. The lack of regulation in the private security sector in the maritime domain is a problem and this is leading to growth in the sector which suggests that standards may vary considerably. Our team of security and insurance consultants work hand in hand to source competitive insurance quotes backed by a comprehensive warranty compliant overview of physical security measures including the procurement of a fit for purpose security company and implementation of BMP 4 standard security. Commander Toothtill Fly-by-night security companies had to buy their weapons on the black market in places such as Djibouti. 6 Those that are in control of potential lethal force must have clear and agreed procedures to work under. Without this, the already grey area of armed guards at sea could turn into a real mess. Who covers loss or damage to the vessel? No K&R cover? Who pays the ransom? The legality of paying ransom? Double insurance issues? Is hire covered? Does P&I cover liability risks? Is the ship deemed seaworthy for security purposes? 9
OUR EXPERIENCE Our maritime and land security experience and reputation is founded on complimentary skill sets from accomplished military backgrounds, private maritime and land based security roles to senior company executive status within legal and insurance environments. The combined resources place us in a unique position to provide a total security management solution for a one off contract execution to multiple contract team deployments for larger fleets and land-based projects. Our team has managed over 1000 Guardcon compliant contracts providing security company selection recommendations to due diligence pre-contract compliance checks on all nominated personnel to managing the invoicing and post contract procedures. Our team has been actively involved in MARSEC operations since 2005 with over 100 transits serving as team leaders and managing over 1000 operations in complex maritime and land environments. The OCEANS SHIELD team has been instrumental in the negotiation and release of three hijacked vessels. The senior management is headed by Commanders William Bennett and Samuel Toothill who, between them, have over 70 years military experience. They are supported by legal, financial, insurance and administrative departments. Commanders Bennett and Toothill Royal Navy Jointly responsible for the overall management of OCEANS SHIELD services with particular emphasis on general strategy, maritime security, and anti-piracy measures. Major Christopher Brown United Kingdom Special Forces Responsible for the overall management of land-based security projects including implementation of security protocols and the supervision of all movements for client staff into and out of country including all security arrangements of the on-site workforce. Major Joseph Peery United States Air Force Responsible for all air operations including but not limited to: medical evacuations, aerial surveillance and air logistics. CVs of the above are available on request. 11
LAND SECURITY Our Land Security arrangements are second to none. We use ex British Special Forces to lead all our land operations. There is no doubt that these men are the best in the world at what they do. These highly trained individuals have global experience working in complex security environments; un-matched skill sets; excellent reputations; totally reliable and trustworthy. OCEANS SHIELD is proud to have on board as head of our land security division former British Special Forces operator CHRIS BROWN. Chris most recent appointments include but are not limited to: MAURITANIA Chris has been responsible for the overall security of all expat staff. He produced and executed all security protocols for various projects over a lengthy period, his experience proved to be invaluable on a number of occasions. He was recently responsible for the overall security of a large number Mauritanian project. His French and Arabic language skills allowed him to easily liaise with local police, government and security officials, ensuring smooth day to day running of all security matters. Additionally, he trained local military and security forces regularly running advanced training exercises in order to combat all worst-case scenarios. Chris has an impressive wealth of security and combat experience in a long list of global hot spots. On the African continent alone he has served in Algeria; Chad; Niger and Sudan. His other areas of operations include but, are not limited to: Afghanistan, Iraq; Lebanon and Pakistan. He is an ideal choice as security manager for all land-based operations. 13
OCEANS SHIELD Ltd We are an established independent risk consultancy group focused on the global marine, trade and transportation sector. Operating from our offices in Athens; Dubai; Naples and Port Louis, Mauritius. Through a Joint Venture operation with Orion Group of Dubai, we provide risk consulting services across a broad spectrum of global clients that includes a NASDAQ listed blue water shipping corporation owning eighty plus vessels, the Middle East s largest blue water product and tanker fleet. We also provide security services for a number of European transport sector operators, traders and charterers. Our land operations include providing security services to companies operating in high-risk areas on the African continent, Middle East and other areas where security of staff is of concern. Our services span traditional insurance placements to advising on managing risk through innovative solutions. Our security consultancy service is designed to provide offshore and onshore service companies; working in complex environments, guidance in the selection; compliance; legal and insurance complexities of contracting security firms. The security division is jointly headed by Commanders William Bennett and Samuel Toothill who, between them, have over 70 years of military experience on land, sea and amphibious environments. Our services also include rapid evacuation by land, sea or air for medical or security reasons. Commander William Bennett Royal Navy T: +30 210 922 4954 M: +30 694 719 2028 william.bennett@oceans-shield.com Commander Samuel Toothill Royal Navy T: +39 0823 150 1746 M: +39 340 473 4188 samuel.toothill@oceans-shield.com Major Joseph Peery United States Air Force T: +30 210 922 4954 M: +30 694 924 5173 joseph.peery@oceans-shield.com consultancy is backed by our ability to draw on an experienced management team delivering a seamless security consultancy service in the land sea and air environments. Commander Bennett 15
OCEANS SHIELD GREECE UAE ITALY SWITZERLAND MAURITIUS T: +30 210 922 4954 M: +30 694 719 2028 E: admin@oceans-shield.com W: www.oceans-shield.com 12