Marine Security Advisory – 09/2022 - Use of Private Marine Security Companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed

Marine Security Advisory – 09/2022

(This Advisory supersedes Marine Security Advisory 03/2011)

Subject: Use of Private Marine Security Companies (PMSC) providing privately contracted armed and unarmed security personnel onboard on Liberian registered ships.

Reference: (a) Marine Operations Note 01/2022

To: Shipowners/Operators/Company Security Officers/Masters:

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of shipowners/operators choosing to employ privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel for protection against piracy and armed robbery in the high risk area (HRA). Considering the utmost priority of this Administration is the safety and security of ships in its fleet, and the seafarers manning these ships, shipowners may employ the use of privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel to secure their ships when transiting the HRA.

The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 2011), approved interim recommendations to flag States and interim guidance to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on board ships in the HRA, which were subsequently revised at MSC 90 to take into account consequential amendments arising from the development of interim guidance to private maritime security companies providing PCASP on board ships in the HRA in MSC.1/Circ.1443.

Considering the continuing risk of piracy incidents, and to ensure that the private companies and personnel protecting Liberian registered ships from piracy are properly regulated, commencing September 1, 2022, all PMSC providing privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel on Liberian registered ships shall apply for assessment and an authorization document from the Liberian Administration prior to their employment on board.

With effect from September 1, 2022, the Administration requires that all shipowners and operators of Liberian registered ships using privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel on board their Liberian registered ships, shall only use PMSC that have been authorized by this Administration.

Shipowners/Operators using an authorized PMSC are not required to obtain any authorization letter from the Administration for carriage of privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel on board, unless required by port or coastal States. Application for authorization should be sent to security@liscr.com. A fee will be charged for reviewing and processing the application for authorization.

Shipowners/Operators intending to use a PMSC that is not authorized by the Administration will require that the PMSC apply for assessment and authorization using the procedure described in reference (a). Upon receipt and pending assessment of the application, the Administration may agree to provide provisional authorization to the PMSC for a period of one (1) month for a single service only.

To enable the use of authorized PMSC personnel on Liberian registered ships, the Liberian Administration will require a copy of the PMSC authorization document to be carried on board the ship.

A list of PMSCs authorized by the Administration may be obtained by contacting the Administration at Security@liscr.com or on Liberian Registry website www.liscr.com under ‘the “Maritime” ,

“Maritime Security Department” tab and “List of Authorized PMSCs”.

Once it has been determined to embark privately contracted armed or unarmed security personnel on board a Liberian registered ship, the Administration requires the following:

1. Procedures of the PCASP shall be addressed within the Ship Security Plan (SSP) in the form of an appendix. Confirmation that all requirements have been met along with a copy of the appendix to the SSP should be sent via email to the Administration at security@liscr.com prior to embarkation of the PCASP. The appendix should include at least the following features:

• • Procedures pertaining to application of additional anti-piracy measures
  • Watch keeping and vigilance
  • Communication procedures with the PCASP
  • Use of defensive measures
  • Use of passive/non-lethal devices
  • Authority of the Master (PCASP embarked on the vessel are at all times subject to the overriding authority of the vessel’s Master)
  • Activation of PCASP and the risk of escalation

1. Accommodations and sufficient safety equipment must be available to the members of the security team and a safe and secure location be provided to store ammunition and firearms.

1. It is the shipowners/operators responsibility to verify the PCASP’s ability to work and cooperate with the crew on board to assure the safety of the vessel.

1. It must be verified that there is a ‘Rules for the Use of Force’ document in place, as part of the contract between the shipowner/operator and the PMSC.

1. The ship’s crew must receive training and be fully familiar with the Best Management Practices (BMP) to deter and prevent piracy.

The Administration requires that Annex 1 shall be completed and submitted each time PCASP are employed on board a Liberian registered ship. This includes the proper trade name and contact information of the PMSC, the names of the guards and number and description of firearms brought on board by the PCASP. A copy of the End-User-Certificate used to document that the PMSC is the owner of the firearms, which may be an export certificate; a proof of purchase; or other document, shall also be provided along with the Annex 1.

For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone + 1 703 790 3434, email security@liscr.com

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