Nexus Consulting release their updated best practice guidelines for maritime security firm selection by shipowners.
“As the number of private maritime firms has grown from a handful just a few years ago to over a hundred today, we felt it was important to help shipping organizations get a head start in their selection process,” said Nexus Consulting’s President Kevin Doherty in a statement. “With many ‘fly-by-night’ operations popping up, we want to be sure companies can quickly weed out under-qualified or under-performing security firms that could pose a risk to their operations.”
In addition to the best practices guidelines, Nexus was featured at the NAMEPA 2013 National Maritime Day Seminar and AMVER Awards in a panel discussion on the changing face of piracy. As piracy tactics evolve, Nexus Consulting’s Kevin Doherty led talks on how to keep cargo and crew protected in a dynamic, evolving environment.
“We’re in the business of keeping mariners safe, period,” said Doherty. “That means we advocate multiple options to ensure the safe passage of mariners, and all options to return them home if they are held by piracy groups. My own brother is a merchant mariner, and if – heaven forbid – he ever fell into the hands of a pirate, you can be positive I would do anything it took to return him safely home,” Doherty continued. “When human life is at stake, the only focus should be on the mariner’s safe return, not on movie-quote platitudes espoused by some newer firms.”
Nexus's maritime security vetting document is available here.