Companies, company security officers (CSO), ship security officers (SSO) and Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) of Panamanian flagged vessels should implement the necessary security measures described in the latest edition of the Best Management Practices before, during and after the transit through High Risk Areas.
Specifically, the use of Best Management Practices should be reviewed and implemented by all the parties involved prior to entering high-risk areas.
The implementation of BMP must include, but is not limited to the following:
- Conduct trainings / drills with the crew;
- Watchkeeping and Enhanced Vigilance;
- Effective use of monitoring and/or surveillance equipment;
- Maneuvering practice;
- Alarm or Alerts systems to demonstrate awareness to any potential attacker;
- Use of deck lighting and illumination to demonstrate awareness to any potential attacker;
- Denial of use of ship’s tools and equipment, and protection of equipment stored on the upper deck;
- Control of Access to Bridge, Accommodation and Machinery Spaces and Physical Barriers;
- Other equipment used for self-defense;
- Safe-Muster Points and Citadels, if determined appropriate.
- Submit vessel movements and transit plans to MSCHOA and all other organizations in the area before, during and after transiting High Risk Area.
In addition, shipowners and operators have to ensure that the crew is aware and familiarizes with all the recommendations given in the BMP and by this Administration. Also, they should communicate with the crew relatives prior to entering High Risk Area in order to make them aware of the transit and must also provide them with the contact on the different organizations which operate in the area so they can communicate with these organizations in case there is a need to do so.
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All Panama-flagged vessels, despite using services of Private Maritime Security Companies, should maintain a wide communication with the Administration and to liase with the International Contact Centers according to the BMP in order to counter piracy in the High Risk Areas of the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and any other Region of High Risk, as determined by this Administration before, during and after the transit.
Moreover, the Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC) listed in the MMC 245, must ensure compliance with Best Management Practices and coordinate with the master and crew that all exercises are planned and conducted on board prior to entering the High Risk Area and these measures must be kept before, during and after the transit.
Concluding, all Panamanian flagged vessels transiting High Risk Area must make sure their LRIT System works properly at all times and must also report all their movements.
