Step 3 of 4•12 minutes read
Contingency Plans
A contingency plan is a course of action designed to help the Master and ship's crew respond effectively to an emergency or threat that may arise. It describes in detail the course of actions and steps to be taken by the crew members in response to the specific emergency. By doing so, a contingency plan helps you stay prepared for unforeseen events and minimise their impact.
Therefore, any contingency plan allows a ship to return to its daily operations as quickly as possible after an unforeseen event and ensures minimal damage to life, the environment and the ship. Some benefits of a contingency plan are that:
- It helps react quickly to an emergency since the contingency plan lists the clear actions and steps needed, and everyone can focus on their duties without wasting time panicking.
- Having a contingency plan in place allows you to minimise damages that could occur from the emergency and therefore minimise the loss of life, and damage to the environment and ship.
Admiralty Maritime Security Charts. UK Hydrographic Office
Contingency Plans for Piracy or Armed Robbery Attack
A ship may come under attack in high-risk areas with little to no warning, hence the importance of effective lookouts, both visually and by radar, in order to ensure early detection. In the Gulf of Guinea, it has been reported that small merchant vessels, fishing vessels, and offshore supply vessels are sometimes used as mother ships. It is therefore important to not just look out for the obvious, but also keep in mind that a drifting merchant vessel might also be a mother ship. In the event that an unidentified boat is seen approaching, MDAT-GoG should be immediately called.
- Ensure a proper watch is maintained at all times when transiting through high-risk areas.
- Post extra look-out on the bridge.
- Maintain visual and radar watch at all times.
- Post extra look-out all around the ship especially during night-time.
- Ensure continuous patrols being carried out on the deck at all time.
- Establish proper communication between bridge and crew on deck.
- Seal off any means of access to accommodation.
- Provide adequate lighting.
- Fire hoses must be rigged all around the vessel, and supply of water ready for immediate use.
- All crew members must be briefed and instructed about the Citadel.
- Instruct crew about the security plan.
- Sound the emergency alarm and make an announcement on the PA systems.
- Carry out a MAYDAY call on VHF Ch. 16.
- Send a distress message via the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system and Satellite Communication Systems.
- Activate the Ship Security Alert Systems (SSAS).
- Increase to maximum speed.
- Steer a straight course to aid in achieving the highest speed possible.
- Start the ship’s emergency proceed for piracy.
- Ensure that the Automatic Identification System (AIS) is switched on.
- Activate the security measures onboard, such as water spray.
- Ensure that all external doors are fully secured.
- Ensure that all crew without security duties are appropriately mustered inside the citadel.
- When the circumstance of the case admits, alter course to expose the skiff to wind and waves.
- Continuously sound the ship’s whistle to show the attacker that he has been observed and possibly distract them.
- Ensure that the Vessel Data Recorder (VDR) is recording, and the data saved.
- Ensure that all crew are safely mustered in the Citadel.
- Report the attack again to MDAT-GoG.
- Commence evasive manoeuvres whilst maintaining as much speed as possible to hinder skiffs from lying alongside the ship in preparation for a boarding attempt. Additionally, these manoeuvres will create additional wash to impede the operation of the skiffs. Large amounts of the helm are not recommended, as these are very likely to significantly reduce the ship’s speed.
- Use all defensive measures possible.
- Take all way off the ship and stop the engines.
- Muster all the crew in the citadel.
- Use all available means to establish communications from the citadel with MDAT-GoG and the company to confirm that all crew are accounted for and safely in the Citadel.
- Stay secure in the citadel for as long as possible, and ensure that all crew stay together.
- If any member of the crew is captured it should be considered that the attackers have full control of the ship.
- Offer no resistance in order to avoid violence.
- Remain calm and cooperate fully with the pirates.
All crew members need to keep in mind, that safety takes overriding priority over security.
In the event of military intervention, it is extremely important for the crew to know how to act. It is recommended for a ship’s Master and SSO (Ship Security Officer) to instruct the crew on actions to take in this case during drills. Such actions will include the following;
- Keep low on deck and cover your head with both hands.
- Keep hands visible at all times.
- Cooperate fully with the military forces.
- When challenged about your identity keep calm and answer all questions (keep in mind that the military forces are trying to figure out who the attackers are).
- Do not make any movements that might be interpreted as aggressive.
- Photographs should not be taken.
- Unless specifically instructed do not get involved in any activity concerning the military forces.
Post Attack
IMO Guidelines on Preservation and Collection of Evidence A28/Res. 1091 should be consulted by the ship Master and Company in order to ensure the proper protection of evidence.
It is the Master’s and the crew’s duty to protect the crime scene until the nominated law enforcement agency arrives. This can be done in the following way:
- Preserve the crime scene and all evidence if possible.
- Avoid contaminating or interfering with all possible evidence by not touching anything.
- Do not clean up the area.
- Do not throw anything away, no matter how unimportant it may seem.
- Take initial statements from all the crew members.
- Take photographs of the crime scene.
- Protect the VDR for future evidence.
- Facilitate access to the crime scene and relevant documentation for law enforcement authorities.
- Make crew available for interview by law enforcement authorities.