The Shipowners P&I club has also seen the rise in vessel operators who prefer to appoint armed guards onboard their ships. This safety measure is due to the increased piracy, cargo theft and crew kidnapping activity around the Malacca Straits, West Africa and the Persian Gulf. Aligning itself with this new trend, the International Group of P&I clubs came up with solutions, regulations and rules for use of armed guards aboard vessels in the Piracy FAQs in 2013.
All operators should refer to these FAQs for guidance concerning deployment of armed guard security personnel onboard their vessels. The club recently released a checklist for members, specifically concerning armed guards onboard for easy understanding and implementation.
The Shipowners’ Club is a mutual insurance association that offers Protection & Indemnity (P&I), Legal Assistance and Defence cover and associated insurances to smaller and specialist vessel owners, operators and charterers around the world. The Club is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs which represents over 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage. The International Group provides a voice for vessel owners’ views on legislation, conventions and regulations that impact upon their operation.
Source: The Shipowners’ Club
