Training: Maritime Security Professional Training

By James Shelley, Department Head for Marine Safety & Security, MITAGS

Port facilities and Shipping companies are rushing to comply with new international and national maritime security requirements.

The ISPS (International Ship and Port Security) and the U.S. maritime security requirements mandate security assessments, plans and training of security personnel. The Maritime Institute of Technology (MITAGS) and its satellite school, the Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) offer training for port facility, shipping company and ship security officers. MITAGS/PMI is now offering training for Maritime Security Professionals.The ISPS Code, the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002 and in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) mandate training for port facility personnel with specific security duties. MTSA actually requires the government to establish training and certification standards. In a report to Congress in May, 2003, the U.S. Maritime Administration recommended specific training standards. As of the writing of the article, to Federal agency has certified any maritime security professional training program.

To fill this vacuum, MITAGS has developed a one-week training program designed for port facility security guards to comply with the standards of 33 CFR 205.210 and the intent of MTSA Section 109 and ISPS Code Part B, Section 18.2. This course is presented by maritime security and law enforcement professionals.

Training begins with an overview of the new maritime security regulations and the role of the security guard in that process.

Hands-on training focuses on the skills required to be effective at protecting the port from security breaches and incidents.

Security and defense tactics skills are taught by trained law enforcement defense tactics instructors. Attendees learn methods to screen and search people, vehicles and spaces, using standard security equipment and techniques.