related to extinguishing fire on a ship, then, after covering the
theory, each of trainees must undergo a practical training in
conditions as real as possible. In Poland or elsewhere in Europe,
there are a lot of companies organizing such training. “However,
their courses take place mostly in lecture halls, which is very
negative from the point of view of the graduates’ education”
states E.S.A.’s boss.
At the European Security Academy, their foremost priority is the
development of practical skills based on delivered theoretical
knowledge. For example, if they teach about the procedures
“Maritime Security Operative”--First Steps
The beginning of the Maritime Security Operative training at
E.S.A. is connected with SSO and STCW 95 certificate. Throughout
the theoretical and practical course, trainees must complete
numerous paramedic courses, fire-fighting training (types of
extinguishers, kinds of fires on ships, non-fire dangers connected
with fire, specificity of cargo and actions of the crew, practical
extinguishing of fires). They have expanded this training by
ways of utilising fire-fighting equipment to defend the ship
TRAINING: MARITIME SECURITY
needs to be compact and must include a number of elements.
The basics in Maritime Security Operative Course with the
E.S.A. consist of integrated training in the scope of safety in
accordance with STCW 95 (Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping), which is necessary to start work on board, and
an SSO (Ship Security Officer) course. STCW trainings are made up
of first aid courses, utilizing pre-arranged and real-life situations;
trainings in fire protection; personal survival techniques and
personal safety and common responsibility. Whereas the SSO
course, whose essential element is the basic knowledge of ISPS
code (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code), has
been expanded by rudiments of navigation, as well as tactics
for preventing and repulsing terrorist attacks, i.e. counteracting
boarding attacks. The E.S.A have expanded the SSO course by
training elements aimed at mastering firearms with maintaining
safety rules at the same time, as well as long-distance shooting.
Verification of Candidates
At the European Security Academy, before they start a training
course in protecting ships, a candidate must go through a
verification process to find out if they are fit for the training. First
stage is the medical examination, taken in order to obtain an
international health certificate required to work on a ship. The
results also reflect the ability to take part in the training, which
is crucial for the safety of candidates. Next requirement is the
presentation of a certificate of clean criminal history record,
which is then verified, and a current professional experience
history. The last part of the verification is testing the knowledge
of individual and team tactics in case of the subject dangers. This
element is extremely important in order to be accepted for the
training, because in such a short time E.S.A are not able to teach
the rudiments of tactics, but to hone them. “For our first training,
out of over 60 candidates only 20 were accepted”’ recollects Bryl.
‘The interest in more training is also substantial” he adds.
pmcimagazine.com