Since the implementation stages of the International Security for Ships and Port Facilities (ISPS) and the Maritime Transportation Security Act 2002 (MTSA), The O'BRIEN'S Group has established itself as a worldwide leader in maritime security. Drawing on its existing staff of master mariners, emergency response and security personnel the Maritime Security Services group provided the company’s shipping and energy clients with comprehensive security programs. The O'BRIEN'S Group has conducted over 500 Ship, Facility and Port-Facility Security Assessments and 300 Ship, Facility and Port-Facility Security Plans. In addition, we offer our clients a broad range of security services that includes training, audits, drills, exercises, SSAS monitoring and emergency contact.

With master mariners and licensed engineers on staff, as well as professionals with backgrounds in security, law enforcement, and crisis management, The O'BRIEN'S Group can assist with all your maritime security needs. Our programs are based upon current IMO International Ship and Port Facility Codes (ISPS) and U.S. Coast Guard regulations, and our knowledge of these requirements allows us to quickly develop security plans for your vessels. We can also review your existing plans and, if necessary, revise them in order to ensure compliance with existing guidelines. The O'BRIEN'S Group is recommended by several Registered Security Organizations (RSO) and flag states. Our security plans have previously been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and similar international regulatory bodies. Our security services include:

Assessment and Plans

The O'BRIEN'S Group continues to provide the maritime industry with ISPS and MTSA mandated Security Assessments and Security Plans. Having worked closely with various Flag Administrations and their Recognized Security Organizations (RSO) has enabled O'BRIEN'S to assist its clients with comprehensive and timely assessment and plan submissions. We also provide our clients with periodic auditing services to insure compliance with approved security plans. Whether it is an acquisition, new build or verification contact us for:

Training, Drills, and Exercises

Training

Utilizing the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) CSO/FSO/SSO Training Program as its foundation, O'BRIEN'S can provide clients with a total security training package. Our CSO/SSO Training program is approved by the Liberian and Marshall Islands registries and we are currently seeking certification with MARAD. We can deliver our programs at client locations, our regional offices or at any site the client chooses. Our security courses meet or exceed the requirements for:

Exercises

As with drills, O'BRIEN'S can design and conduct required ISPS or MTSA annual exercises. These exercises must involve the Ship Security Officer or Vessel Security Officer and the Company Security Officer. Each exercise must test communication and notification procedures, and elements of coordination, resource availability, and response. ISPS and MTSA also look to the company to include Facility Security Officers, port security officials or any other security stakeholders. These exercises must test multiple elements of the security plan and may be full scale and live, table top or combined with other appropriate exercises such as an emergency response exercise.

SSAS Monitoring Service

IMO and U.S. Coast Guard regulations require each vessel to have a Ship Security Alert System (SSAS). In the event of a security incident, the SSAS must be capable of transmitting an alarm signal ship-to-shore and be received by a competent authority, which may be the company or a service provider such as The O'BRIEN'S Group.

If your company does not have around the clock staffing, then the responsibility for responding to an alert will likely rest with the Company Security Officer (CSO). Is the CSO really going to be available at all times to receive a security alert that is often sent via e-mail by your SSAS provider and respond as required in a timely manner?

The O'BRIEN'S Group has been in the emergency preparedness and response management business for over 20 years. We can provide the solution to never missing that security alert and making the correct response. Simply designate our Command Center to receive your ship security alert. Our Emergency Response Duty Officers are standing by 24/7, ready to receive and react to any emergency. Our 24/7 Command Center has been designated a competent authority by the United Kingdom Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is recognized and recommended by the Marshall Islands Registry.

Upon receipt of a security alert from your vessel we will perform the following:

24/7 CSO Contact Service

If your company designates a number of personnel to serve as CSO or alternate our 24/7 CSO Contact Service may be the answer to avoid a master or port state control official needing to call numerous telephone numbers to make contact with the proper CSO. With one number in the Ship/Vessel Security Plan our trained emergency response duty officers manning our 24-hour Command Center can do the searching for you. We can receive the call on behalf of the CSO and make timely and cost-effective contact with him.