Global's BMP - Core 1

Fundamentals

The fundamental requirements of best practices to avoid attack by pirates and armed robbers are:

1. Conduct thorough, ship-specific pre-voyage threat and risk assessments to identify appropriate Ship Protection Measures (SPMs).
2. Implement SPMs as identified in the pre-voyage risk assessment. Companies may always wish to consider new and innovative SPMs beyond the scope of this guidance and provide additional equipment or manpower as a means of further reducing risk. If attackers cannot board a ship they cannot hijack it.
3. Ships should register in accordance with the requirements of any Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) they are transiting.
4. Ships are strongly encouraged to report daily when operating in in a VRA either by email or phone using the relevant Ship Position Reporting – Daily Position. Particularly vulnerable ships will be noted and monitored.
5. A proper, visible lookout is the most effective method of ship protection. It can help identify a suspicious approach or attack early on, allows defences to be deployed and, can serve as an effective deterrent to would-be attackers.

IF ATTACKERS CANNOT BOARD A SHIP THEY CANNOT HIJACK IT

Next article: Core 2 - Aide Memoire >