CRUISE SECURITY SAFEGUARDS

Posted on 12/18/2015

In the current climate of hyped headlines and terrorism fears, Sydney-based writer and photographer, Michael Gebicki recently discussed how cruise ships in general safeguard against terrorist attacks with a cruise line on-board security officer. While precise details are obviously confidential, systems are in place to ensure the safety of all cruise vessels and their passengers.

Passengers are screened before coming on board and can expect to pass through metal detectors. They may in fact pass through three or four security checkpoints before boarding. Their luggage is x-rayed. Port officials work with crew members to examine supplies that are brought on board. When a ship is at port security watches are posted on deck. At night the decks are lit and ropes are let in.

All ports in the US enforce a minimum 100 yard "no float zone," a security perimeter preventing private craft from coming near cruise ships. In addition armed US Coast Guards escort ships in and out of port. Gebicki was told that every cruise ship has a security officer who practises drills to be performed in the event of a terrorist attack. Ships are armed with closed-circuit cameras in the public and secure areas that identify who is on the ship at any given time. They are ever on the look-out for crew members or passengers in unauthorized areas (bridge or engine room), unfamiliar faces among the crew or unattended bags.

Some ships carry under-cover armed security guards. They may be former military and naval personnel, they may be private security staff. At every port cruise personnel perform a task similar to a scouting report where they review the history to determine the security risks such as the threat of stow-aways or contraband. All cruise ships have emergency codes that are broadcast on the PA system, some meant for crew only; some meant for passengers as well.

Kevin Richardson is the president of the International Harbour Masters Association and has spoken of the increased security measures in the cruise industry. “Ports must comply with international law and national regulations as an absolute minimum but the provision of security is a balancing act of security against cost and it comes down to sound risk assessment. “What risks are present, what is their level and if they cannot be eliminated completely, how can they be reduced as low as reasonably practicable? Of course, you could put a big gate across a port entrance and a huge fence around its perimeter and stop others coming in but ports are commercial entities and must be able to operate efficiently and effectively.

It would be pointless to make a port totally secure if it suffocates the business. Instead, the aim is to make sure that your port creates a security regime regarded by any potential terrorist or criminal element as too risky and too difficult to breach.”