Kidnap Ransom and Piracy on the Open Sea one focus of The Jerico Group
The Jerico Group has a unique expertise in the security of luxury yachts
Piracy and Maritime Kidnap and Ransom is not limited to the Gulf of Aden and is not only suffered by commercial shipping lines. Owners of luxury yachts can be especially susceptible to attacks both at sea and in foreign ports; and due to the success of the Somali pirates, piracy may well increase worldwide. Yacht security should be taken seriously if the yacht is sailing internationally.
Criminal activity targeted at vessels and her passengers can include, but is not limited to: thefts while in port or at sea; assaults and kidnappings of the vessels owner, crew and passengers, while at sea or in a foreign port; theft of the vessel for salvage; or destruction of the vessel to conceal a criminal activity. Even if the owners carry kidnap and ransom insurance, you want to stop an attack before it happens of course.
To help prevent criminal activity aimed at luxury yachts The Jerico Group advises a multi-faceted security plan.
1. First and foremost, the vessel should undergo a security refitting and the training of the crew to repel boarders and protect the vessel and its passengers. This might include: advanced lighting systems for the vessel and its surrounding waters while in port; vessel access denial systems; emergency crew warning systems; installation of a safe room; non-lethal defensive weapons; and the training of crew and owners in the applicability and use of all security systems.
2. The purchase of comprehensive vessel insurance that covers thefts of the vessel’s equipment and the passenger’s personal possessions.
3. The purchase of kidnap and ransom insurance that covers all waters and ports the vessel may visit.
4. Passengers should be briefed as to the vessel’s security measures and the duties and responsibilities of the security team.
5. The vessel’s crew should include a security team capable of protecting the vessel while at sea and in foreign ports. Because firearms can be a sensitive issue in foreign ports, the security team must be proficient in close combat and the utilization of improvised weapons. The Jerico Group recommends a security team primarily comprised of militarily trained special operations personnel with field operational experience or former law enforcement officers with documented personal protection training and experience.
6. The security team should be trained and experienced in personal protection operations. Vessel owners and passengers are at their greatest risk while onshore at visiting ports. Depending on the port’s risk factor, the security team leader may want to temporarily employ local military or law enforcement personnel for additional armed security and to help deter any legal problems which may be encountered if an attack takes place.
This article is merely a primer on vessel security for luxury yachts. Additional information may be obtained through www.thejericogroup.com website.
