PMSC Background Information
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1405/Rev.2 – Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators, and Shipmasters on the Use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in the High Risk Area1 – (25 May 2012) - Annex – Revised Interim Guidance to Shipowners, Ship Operators, and Shipmasters on the Use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel on Board Ships in the High Risk Area1 - 4 PMSC selection criteria - PMSC Background Information

PMSC Background Information

  4.2 To assess the capability of PMSC to carry out a proposed task, a thorough enquiry regarding the prospective PMSC should be undertaken, particularly in the absence of a robust certification scheme for PMSC.

  4.3 PMSC should be able to provide documentary evidence which may include:

  • .1 maritime (as opposed to land-based) experience;

  • .2 written procedures on management including team-leading skills, chain of authority, change in command, responsibilities in life saving;

  • .3 understanding of flag State, port State and coastal State requirements with respect to carriage and usage of firearms;

  • .4 availability of written testimonials/references from previous clients in the maritime industry;

  • .5 availability of documentary evidence that firearms are procured, stored, carried, used, transported, embarked and disembarked legally;

  • .6 understanding of the Somalia-based piracy threat including the military operations in the area, and the means to maintain current knowledge;

  • .7 understanding of BMP and, in particular, ship protection measures; and

  • .8 access to competent maritime legal advice (e.g. in-house counsel/external legal advisers) on a 24/7 basis.

Parent topic: 4 PMSC selection criteria
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