The Liberian ship registry is urging the IMO to take the lead on establishing international guidelines on the deployment of armed guards on board ships.
In an article in Lloyd’s List, Scott Bergeron head of LISCR (Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry) states that they are working closely with the US Navy to ensure clear lines of communication, while the navy works in concert with the other naval forces in the Indian Ocean.
The Liberian ship registry is urging the IMO to take the lead on establishing international guidelines on the deployment of armed guards on board ships.
In an article in Lloyd’s List, Scott Bergeron head of LISCR (Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry) states that they are working closely with the US Navy to ensure clear lines of communication, while the navy works in concert with the other naval forces in the Indian Ocean.
In an effort to bridge the gap created by the limited availability of naval protection detachments, the LISCR has recently issued new guidance for companies that own, manage or operate Liberia-flagged vessels and may be considering the deployment of onboard armed security guards in high-risk waters.
This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding the carriage of arms and armed guards. The registry also offers an electronic course, which is designed to help the crews of vessels operating in high-risk waters to avoid, deter or delay acts of piracy and comply with best management practices.
It is now time, he argues, to recognise that international guidelines on their deployment are essential and urgently required. It is time also to acknowledge that work toward this objective should be co-ordinated under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Indeed, Liberia has made a submission in this regard to the IMO for its upcoming meeting in May.
Without a feasible naval alternative, empowering the IMO with the development of guidelines on the use of private armed security personnel would appear to be in keeping with the primary objective of orchestrating a response to the problem of piracy. In the meantime many of their shipowners and managers are expressing understandable concern about the safety of their vessels and crews, and have approached their flag states for advice on the employment of onboard armed security guards, but a unified International perspective and control mechanism is needed.
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