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Questionnaire on information on port and coastal state - Requirements related to privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships (IMO)

MSC-FAL.1/Circ.2

22 September 2011

1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 2011)
(MSC 89), having noted the increasing use of armed personnel on board ships operating in the High Risk Area decided, on the understanding that the carriage of armed personnel was a matter to be decided by the shipowner within the framework of the national legislation and policies of the flag State concerned, that there was an urgent need for a consistent approach to the issue and the avoidance of an escalation of violence due to the inappropriate use of force. In this respect MSC 89 approved MSC.1/Circ.14052 on Interim Guidance to shipowners, ship operators, and shipmasters on the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area, and MSC.1/Circ.14063 on Interim Recommendations for Flag States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area.

Full information on this circular can be found at: http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/HotTopics/piracy/Documents/2.pdf