Vertical Markets

Maritime presentation

by Mark Rowe

At a ceremony in London, Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) that have undertaken the ISO 28000 maritime security certification through RTI, received their certificates.

As a “certifying body” RTI Ltd provides assurance assessment and accredited certification for maritime security (ISO 28000 with ISO PAS 28007), assessing companies which provide privately contracted armed security personnel (PCASP) on-board ships.

As part of RTI’s own certification efforts the company had been working with a number of private maritime security providers. Having been audited as part of RTI’s pilot scheme, these companies are now awarded ISO 28007 certification.

The newly certified ISO/PAS 28007:2012 companies are Alphard Maritime, Bowline Defence, Control Risks, and Securewest International.

Captain Alok Kumar, Director and Founder of Alphard Maritime said: “We are confident that the new ISO standard will place the certified PMSCs in higher class and will assist owners to choose the better PMSC.”

John Howells, the UK Director for Alphard Maritime said: “The ISO standards and the ISO/PAS 280007 certification gives a clear benchmark for all in the shipping industry to be able to select a fully audited and approved service provider with internationally recognised standards to be trusted to safely guard their people and assets.”

And Peter Cheney, Director Maritime Services at Control Risks said: “We are delighted that the award of ISO 28000/PAS 28007 is recognition of our long-held commitment to quality, training and safety. It demonstrates to the shipping industry the professionalism of Control Risks and the other leading Private Maritime Security Companies.”

On the difficulties of managing new standards, Cheney added: “Whilst Control Risks has an established and reputable profile of 40 years standing in the risk and security industry, we participated in the pilot program to demonstrate our commitment to a respected international maritime industry standard. We chose RTI due to their maritime expertise and their use of experienced master mariner auditors in the accreditation process. We are pleased that the standard now provides a means to enable industry stakeholders to identify with confidence robust, credible, and dependable Private Maritime Security Companies.”

Clare Williamson-Cary, Chief Executive of Securewest International said: “With over 25 years of service to our maritime clients, Securewest International has long been committed to the development and adoption of security industry standards and codes of practice and we were pleased to support RTI in the pilot scheme and, of course, to receive the certification. This ISO provides for Independent assessment against clearly defined standards which can only help to drive up standards internationally across our industry.”

Supporting comments came from the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI), The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and the Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG).

Speaking about the ISO process, David Cotterell, OCIMF Director says, “Standardisation and the production of Industry Standards are a core OCIMF functions.” He added, “Operating to ISO standards is both a mark of quality and often a differentiator for customers seeking contractors to provide a high quality service. We were supportive when IMO decided on the ISO route for the accreditation of private maritime security contractors, and we are very pleased to see ISO 28000 and ISO PAS 28007 certification being awarded.”

Andrew Farquhar, Chairman of The Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG) says, “SCEG is pleased to see that RTI have also been accredited by UKAS to certificate PMSCs to ISO 28000 and ISO PAS 28007. As the maritime security industry moves forward, it is essential that risk and quality management systems are in place that ship operators and industry stakeholders can rely upon. RTI with its experienced master mariner auditors and accreditation as a certification body brings added value to this process.”

RTI Maritime Director Captain Steve Cameron thanked all parties, saying: “The commitment to excellence which has been demonstrated by the private maritime security companies we have worked with, made a real difference to the process and helped streamline the way in which complex demands were managed. Each deserves praise, respect, and recognition for the efforts they have made.”

Cameron also praised the industry bodies for their role and dedication to finding solutions which have propelled maritime security as a priority, saying, “We should also thank and recognise the pivotal role of organisations such as BIMCO, SAMI, SCEG, and OCIMF as they have tackled difficult problems to ensure that security solutions have been developed and standards have been implemented.”

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