Revised Interim Recommendations for flag States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area

MSC.1/Circ.1406/Rev.1

16 September 2011

1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-ninth session (11 to 20 May 2011), approved Interim recommendations for flag States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area.

2 Given the importance and urgent nature of this issue, and the need to further
develop and promulgate detailed guidance and recommendations as soon as possible, the Committee approved and the Council authorized the convening of an intersessional meeting of the Maritime Security and Piracy Working Group (13 to 15 September 2011) to update the recommendations.

3 The Revised interim recommendations for flag States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area is set out in the annex.

4 The attached revised interim recommendations should be read in conjunction with the interim guidance set out in MSC.1/Circ.1405/Rev.1 on Revised 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, the interim recommendations set out in MSC.1/Circ.1408 on Interim recommendations for port and coastal States regarding the use of privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships in the High Risk Area, and the information provided in MSC-FAL.1/Circ.2 on the Questionnaire on information on port and coastal State requirements related to privately contracted armed security personnel on board ships, as well as the other recommendations and guidance developed by the Organization for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships.

5 Member Governments are urged to bring this circular to the attention of all national agencies concerned with anti-piracy activities, shipowners, ship operators, shipping companies, shipmasters and crews.

6 Member Governments are also urged to take any necessary action to implement, as appropriate, the revised interim recommendations given in the annex.

7 Member Governments, international organizations and non-governmental
organizations with consultative status are invited to bring to the attention of the Committee, at the earliest opportunity, the results of the experience gained from the use of the revised interim recommendations so as to assist the Committee in deciding on any action to be taken.

8 MSC.1/Circ.1406 is hereby revoked.

 

The full circular can be found at: http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/HotTopics/piracy/Documents/1406-Rev-1.pdf