Security-Search-Techniques-Personnel
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[MUSIC PLAYING]
Smuggling contraband
aboard ships
is as old as the
seafaring life itself.
But today, the
danger is increased.
Global terrorism has given rise
to a new species of threats,
for a single, fanatical
individual can bring danger
with him onto a ship, in
cargo, in his baggage,
or even on his own person.
The defense against
this type of threat
is a security policy
that includes the right
to search any and all persons
seeking access to your ship.
The right to search the
persons and possessions
of all people seeking
to board your ship
should be stated publicly
and posted in plain sight.
The first duty on
greeting anyone
attempting to board your ship
is to establish their identity.
Then, to complete a
sign-in or other procedure
that establishes and approves
their reason for coming aboard.
First place, nobody
will be allowed on board
without prior intimation that
somebody is coming on board.
If there is any question,
detain those seeking to board,
and contact ship or
port security personnel.
The rules are that
security overrides privacy.
Ravi Shankar is a maritime
security consultant
who helps train officers
and crews in proper search
techniques.
At the end of the day, it is
the captain's responsibility
to make sure that he
has got a safe ship.
So he cannot be constrained
by privacy codes here.
It is the safety.
although security
comes first, always
use courtesy, and respect
the rights of others.
Inform those boarding
of your search policies
and ask their permission
to search their baggage
and their persons.
If they refuse to
be searched, they
should be denied
access, and escorted
off the ship and the
port facility itself.
The guidance for
personal search policies
is given by the ISPS
Code, Section 9.15.
At security level one, all
those seeking to board a ship
should be liable to search.
The frequency of such searches,
including random searches,
should be specified in the
approved Ship Security Plan.
The frequency of
your searches will
be determined by specifics
in the Ship Security Plan.
The plan will call
for more thoroughness
as the MARSEC level
increases, from level
one, normal security, to level
three, an imminent threat.
The acronym, MARSEC,
short for marine security,
is often used interchangeably
with the term, Security Level.
For efficiency, it's useful
to have at least two people
conducting personal searches.
It's also recommended
that, whenever
possible, port
facility personnel be
used so fellow crew members
aren't searching each other.
Began personal searches
by asking each individual
to empty his pockets
into a tray or container,
and to take off his
shoes and any jackets
or outer garments
for inspection.
This is also the
appropriate time
to ask if there are any
objects of possible concern
that are to be declared at the
time, such as tools, knives,
screwdrivers, box cutters, which
could be potential weapons.
Your radio.
While one member begins
the personal search,
another inspects carry-on
items and personal effects.
A metal detector
or a portable wand
is a useful tool for
detecting metal objects
in a personal search.
The technique is
the familiar one
seen in airports and
other secure facilities.
Begin by asking the individual
to stand erect, with his feet
two to three feet apart, and his
arms outstretched horizontally.
Then, with the wand switched
on, run it over the entire body,
front and back, between the
legs, and under the arms.
Keep the wand four to six inches
away from the limbs and torso.
In many instances, metal
detection equipment
may not be available, and
not all dangerous contraband
is necessarily metallic.
Weapons can be fashioned from
ceramics or hard plastic,
and toxic or
explosive substances
can easily be concealed on
the body in powdered form.
Hence, the need for physical
inspections and searches.
In a physical search,
use your eyes first.
Look for unseemly bulges or
irregularities in clothing.
Then, lightly pat down
likely areas of concealment,
in the belt, inside the legs
and socks, under the arms.
What we have done,
here in this case,
is to make sure that he
is coming clean, which
means that he's not
bringing anything
hazardous onto the vessel.
Now, what do we call hazardous?
A knife, a screwdriver,
a box cutter.
Whether it is metal, or a
hard plastic doesn't matter.
But it is still a dangerous
object with which he
can harm other people on board.
In physical searches,
specifically,
inform the individual of
what you intend to do,
and act with courtesy
and respect at all times.
The ISPS code
states specifically
that, "Any such search shall
be undertaken in a manner which
fully takes into account the
human rights of the individual
and preserves their
basic human dignity."
Have a designated area
to conduct your searches.
Then designate
experienced personnel
from either the ship or the
shoreside to conduct them.
Wear protective
clothing and plastic
gloves to protect both
the searchers and those
being searched.
And always work in teams
for maximum efficiency.
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Make search procedures an
ongoing part of crew training.
Have a set of communications
in place in case an individual
or anything carried on
board is at all suspicious.
And empower each and
every crew member
to be vigilant,
responsible, and aware.
--is, know where they
can hide these things.
First and foremost
is, every crew member
could feel that security is
his responsibility as well.
It is not somebody
else's responsibility.
It is everybody's
responsibility.
Out.
Yeah.
Personal searches are
a critical element
in keeping ships secure.
Here's a brief review
of the eight main points
we've covered.
State the search policy publicly
and post it in plain sight.
Complete all required
identification and sign-in
procedures.
Always request permission to
perform a personal search.
Comply with the ISPS Code
and the Security Level
with procedures designated
in the Ship Security Plan.
Search all carry-ons
and personal effects.
Know how to operate metal
detection equipment.
Conduct physical searches
with courtesy and respect.
And finally,
organize and maintain
proper equipment, procedures,
and personnel training.
Often, the best way to
smuggle something onto a ship
is to conceal it on
one's own person.
Hence, the need for
personal searches.
If they're handled efficiently
and methodically, with courtesy
and communication, they can
result in a more secure vessel
and a crew protected from harm.