Maritime security in West Africa: from awareness to security services
Unfortunately, piracy and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) is peaking. Of vessel hijackings, criminal attacks and ships being held under fire, it is needless to say that kidnap is one of the most traumatic incidents a crew can experience. As a shipping company, there are several maritime protection measures you can take to mitigate the risks of armed piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. In this article, about maritime security in West Africa, you can find an overview of the anti-piracy services an international maritime security company can offer.
Maritime & offshore protection in West Africa
The security measures, systems and services for security on sea in the Gulf of Guinea is very different than the Indian Ocean. It can be divided into training (awareness), remote support and maritime security services. These services include protection for vessels, superyachts and coastal / offshore projects in the Gulf of Guinea.
Anti-piracy training
Training on how to prepare your captain and crew for a journey through a high-risk area, offers numerous advantages. Experience shows that people who are trained by expert maritime security instructors are aware of the risks and the dangers and, subsequently, know how to anticipate these situations. Training enables them to feel more secure in executing their job. Moreover, if something threatening does happen, trained crew recovers more quickly because they know how to keep themselves safe.
The training consists of various aspects, from acquiring relevant and accurate information and communication with authorities to performing anti-piracy drills and preparing a safe room.
Infinite Risks International offers counter piracy training for crews all over the world. The course duration lasts from half a day up and until a full day, depending on your requirements. Your captain, crew and CSO may expect:
- To be trained by experienced instructors
- Hands-on training with a possibility for the crew to ask as many questions as they like
- To cover realistic scenarios for the region to be transited
- To obtain knowledge and practice to feel self-confident
- To feel less stress and frustration in case of an incident
Discover how we work in this article or contact us for more information.
Remote support
- Route analysis and a BMP MS risk assessment are often a required necessity for insurance companies. Our licensed maritime protection officers are experienced and up-to-date with the latest maritime intelligence. They are experts in dealing with piracy incidents in West African waters. We understand the current risks in various zones and know which authorities and organizations to contact to obtain reliable, relevant, and updated information. For each high-risk transit, we can provide you with a detailed risk assessment of the regional maritime security landscape.
- If you would like our coordination center to track your crew on a 24/7 basis, we can implement GPS-tracking. This enables us to monitor your ship’s position in the Gulf of Guinea at all time even if the AIS fails. We can contact the crew if the ship diverts from its original route unexpectedly and warn the authorities immediately if something goes wrong.
- As a back-up team for updated information or to brief your crew when routes suddenly change, you can call on our crisis management and emergency response service. We can devise a security strategy when routes change or stay in contact with your crew in the Gulf of Guinea in case of an emergency.
Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea
- In high-risk areas (around Nigeria and nearby African countries), you may require a bridge adviser to assist the captain and crew. If needed, this protection service can be combined with anti piracy training of your crew.
- When risks become so high that armed protection is required, escort vessels with local armed forces may be the best solution. The presence of our officers is visual from afar, which offers a defensive function to criminals. In many regions, reliable agents in our network support our services, and we can count on local military teams to assist us. This service can be combined with anti piracy training and a bridge adviser, to coordinate the operation, as well.
- If you require the protection of your seafaring assets, e.g., a superyacht, you can count on our service as well. We are experienced in keeping your assets safe in both ports and at sea.
More information about maritime security in West Africa
If you have any questions about our private security operations in West and Central Africa or would like to know more about protection against piracy or armed robbery in the maritime domain, please contact us via e-mail or by phone: +31(0)203011395.
