For potential Team Leaders

T

trublue

Longterm Registered User
Over the past few weeks I have been asked by a lot of guys about the duties of a Team Leader and a lot of guys saying they would like to be a TL.

Therefore I got thinking and have produced the following thread.

1. On arrival on the vessel the Security Team Leaders responsibilities and duties should include the following:
a. Meet and greet the Captain and Ship Security Officer (SSO) and introduce the Security team.

b. Ask the Captain for the vessels itinerary, destination, route and vessels top speed etc and AIS policy, administration points, such as asking the Captain about signing and stamping Security log sheets, Sea mans Discharge Books and any other company paperwork that requires a signature and the vessels stamp etc.

c. Ask the Captain what is the vessels current Marsec level and is it going to be raised during your time on board the vessel.
d. Give the Captain a copy of the latest version of Best Management Practices (BMP) if he does not have a copy.

e. If permitted and time allowing, view and assess the Ship Security Plan (SSP), however some Captains and shipping companies will tell you that it is against company policy to show anyone the SSP, if this is the case try to get as much information as possible from the Captain/SSO on all aspects of the SSP.

f. Ask the Captain about/if there are any weapons are on board (some vessel carry their own weapons), if so where are they secured and what procedure would he like to secure the weapons if going in and out of Port?

g. If armed, explain and give the Captain a copy of your companies Rules of Engagement (ROE) or Rules for the Use of Force (RUF) and explain these him to him identifying THE NEED FOR HIS PERMISSION to fire the weapons if fired upon, be it warning shots or to incapacitate a small vessel, or shoot to kill.

h. Ask the Captain what he expects from the Security team.

i. Tell the Captain what he can expect from the Security team and their capabilities; give him a copy of the Security teams watch duties.

j. Ask the Captain about any duress code words that need to be told as per the SSP.

k. Ask the Captain on the reporting procedure for the vessel to the UKMTO and if the vessel will be registered with MSCHOA, if so, will it join a convoy when going through the IRTC or will the vessel just carry on at best speed.

l. Ask the Captain on communications and what types of Radio do they use on the vessel for communicating between crew members i.e. VHF or UHF Radios and does he have spare Radios for the Security team, what channel is to be used and call signs etc.



  1. TL should then carry out a Visual audit/Risk assessment around the vessel with the SSO (this could also include members of the Security team as well) identifying the following:
a. Vessels weak spots against possible boarding by pirates and the lowest point of the free board.

b. Stand to positions for Security team members when armed and unarmed.

c. Hardening of positions if time allows and materials are available.
d. If razor wire is available, choose positioning for the wire.

e. What heavy objects are available to be used as bombs, flares, petrol bombs etc?

f. Position of fire hoses to repel pirates and to put out any fires near the accommodation should the vessel be hit with RPG rounds.
g. Identify a safe room if one has not already been allocated and a route to be taken by all crew members’ including Security team members if required as per SSP.

h. Vessel lockdown procedure, identify all doors and hatches that should be permanently locked leaving one door open at all times for access and egress into the house as per SSP.


  1. TL should then conduct a briefing for all crew members covering the following:

a. Tactics of the modern day pirate.

b. Recent pirate attacks/hijackings.

c. Aims of the Security team i.e., protect the crew, protect the vessel, and protect the cargo.

d. Training to be carried out, i.e. Security drills/Walk through/Talk through etc.

e. Security measures to be implemented:

i. Lockdown procedure

ii. Upgrading the Marsec level.

iii. Hardening of positions and strengthening of any internal or external doors if materials and time is available.

iv. Erecting of razor wire if it is available and if not already done.

v. Stowing heavy objects and flares at pre designated positions if available.

vi. Positioning of fire hoses to repel boarders and to put out any fires that might occur near the accommodation from Small Arm or RPG fire.

vii. Safe room location and route to be taken by everyone from all different locations, and ensuring rations and water are available in the safe room, Communication equipment such as spare VHF Radios and a Satellite link to speak to the outside world/Coalition warships in case of a boarding etc.

viii. Individual assignments during an attack within the crew and Security team.

ix. Blackening out of all non essential lighting from windows at night and the closing of curtains and Blinds etc.

x. Remind all crew members that no vessel has ever been hijacked doing 18 knots or more, or hijacked with an armed Security team on board.

THIS IS THE IDEAL TIME FOR THE TL TO INSTIL CONFIDENCE INTO ALL CREW
MEMBERS, TO REASSURE THEM THAT NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM
WHILST A SECURITY TEAM IS ON BOARD THEIR VESSEL.


  1. A TL should conduct the following within 48 hrs of leaving port and on entering high threat areas/seas:

a. An announced Security drill for all crew members.

b. Debriefing on the drill and lessons learnt highlighting good points and bad points if any.

c. A follow up Security drill (time permitting), this time unannounced confirming what was said and learnt at the initial security drill debriefing, brief the crew that there will be no more drills and the next time they hear the alarm it will be the REAL THING.


  1. A good TL will give reassurance and will instil confidence within the crew knowing they are going into hostile waters through: A good personal knowledge of Marsec, good safe procedures, training, and a professional “can do” attitude and make himself approachable and available to advise the Captain and crew 24/7 for consultation and advice on any Security or anti piracy related matters.


  1. A good TL will also have to be able to complete all relevant company paperwork, administer the Security Team and conduct any training for the Security team i.e. Weapon training/familiarisation, daily briefings on current piracy situations and intelligence etc, as well as carrying his out own Security duties without relying on the other members of the Security team to conduct the duties.


  1. A good TL should remain calm and collected under any pressure from a pirate attack or any Security related incident as members of the Security team and crew will look up to him for guidance during these kinds of related incidents.

I apologise in advance for the format which i have tried to change, but it will not let me.
 
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Thanks for that TB, I really enjoyed that and it is good to be able to mentally compare that of TL duties waterside with 'Dirt Time'... Excellent mate...
 
Hmmmmm..

You must have it easy Trueblue, My TL Responsibilities start on receiving a tasking order well before I am on a vessel,

Pre-Transit Risk Assessment, Team Briefings, Equipment Checks, Vessel Profiling, Launch Procedure and Risk Analysis are just a few of many responsibilities prior to even getting on the sea never mind the vessel.

Not sure words like SHOOT TO KILL are in any PMSCs RUF

Not sure either that BOMBS are something that any PMSCs would be happy seeing in the POST TRANSIT REPORT or on the internet in a security professional forum which they undoubtedly visit.

Lets just hope your weapons work without a test fire or too!

An effective team leader delivers the company SOPs to ensure that all the requirements within the contract are met to a very high standard not only to protect the critical assets but also the reputation of all parties.

Clunk Click Every Trip :)
 
Thanks Trublue, excellent. For any ex matelot it should be a piece of cake. Good prep for my interview tomorrow. Like being back in the forces again.
 
....a few more tips...when briefing crew, ask them to have a grab bag ready to put personal belongings into, ie phone laptop etc to take down to safe room. Also brief captain on the same points like the crews passports, cargo list and anything that the pirates can utilise to have a grab bag ready. Make sure the chief mate and captain understand the communications plan ie Alert the sass, get on the VHF, inform the UKMTO etc. And finally Have a red filter torch with you on the bridge at night....comes in handy when making a cup of tea with milk...hehe;-)
 
'g. If armed, explain and give the Captain a copy of your companies Rules of Engagement (ROE) or Rules for the Use of Force (RUF) and explain these him to him identifying THE NEED FOR HIS PERMISSION to fire the weapons if fired upon, be it warning shots or to incapacitate a small vessel, or shoot to kill'

Not to sure about the 'need his permission' - last attack I had the Captain was a blubbering wreck in the corner. And no-one can order another to 'open fire' - it's up to that individual. As quoted from the DfT guidelines:

5.6
Lethal force can generally only be used in the context of self defence or defence of others. The decision to use lethal force must lie with the person using force where they believe there to be a risk to human life. Neither the Master nor the security team leader can command a member of the security team against that person’s own judgement to use lethal force or to not use lethal force.
 
A COUPLE OF POINTS BELOW THAT ARE WORTH REPEATING... IN BOLD.
A good TL will give reassurance and will instil confidence within the crew knowing they are going into hostile waters through: A good personal knowledge of Marsec, good safe procedures, training, and a professional “can do” attitude and make himself approachable and available to advise the Captain and crew 24/7 for consultation and advice on any Security or anti piracy related matters.

A good TL will also have to be able to complete all relevant company paperwork, administer the Security Team and conduct any training for the Security team i.e. Weapon training/familiarisation, daily briefings on current piracy situations and intelligence etc, as well as carrying his out own Security duties without relying on the other members of the Security team to conduct the duties.

A good TL should remain calm and collected under any pressure from a pirate attack or any Security related incident as members of the Security team and crew will look up to him for guidance during these kinds of related incidents.
 
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