New in New Zealand - Maritime Security

R

Rogersjay

Full Registered User
Hi gents

Looking for some advice from New Zealand and possibly Oz based security personnel please.

I am ex-British Army and now a qualified Maritime Security Operative with deployments in the HRA under my belt. I have just emigrated to New Zealand and have the following questions. I have started to trawl the internet for the answers but am hoping that I may get some direction/clarity from other CPW members.

1) Having trained in the UK and having all accreditation such as City & Guilds etc that meets current industry regulations, is there anything additional that I need in order to gain employment with a NZ Maritime Security Company and to operate from NZ as a MSO; such as the MSIC in Oz.

2) Having received a rather high quote today from my bank for life insurance, can anybody recommend an Insurance Company that will insure a MSO based in NZ. Security operator/ off shore specific insurance companies must exist down here.

3) Can anybody recommend an efficient tax accountant who specialises in dealing with security professionals that work overseas especially within maritime.

4) As I am now actively seeking employment within the security world Down Under can anybody recommend Maritime Security Companies that are actively employing MSOs based in NZ and security companies that deliver training to clients, especially of a high risk search and Counter IED nature. Companies that look after their operators and pay on time!!

As already stated, I have started looking into the above myself but any heads up would be greatly appreciated. Positive or negative feedback welcome. Thanks in advance.

Regards

Jay
 
Moving to the other side of the planet is not such a good idea if you want to work on the boats.
The cost incurred to companies for your travel really eats into their slim profit margins and pushes you out of the market as it's cheaper to deploy guys directly from the UK or just use TCNs.
I moved to Au which is closer than NZ and I found it hard to get back out on the water.
I had all the quals and all the experience and my application was nicely proceeding, once I told them where I'd need flying from/to all I rx'd was thanks but no thanks.
There are a couple of coys doing anti-piracy out of NZ but I wouldn't keep my hopes too high as they're more than likely using long-serving TLs and TCNs but you could always ask.
Good luck.
A private military security company founded by specialists.
Barantas Security Group, Anti-Piracy Security, Maritime Security Services
 
Hi Jay,

I'm a Kiwi that's done Maritime Security a few years ago. There is one that I know of, NavSec. Not sure if they have any work going at the moment, but worth touching base with. If you hear from a guy called Gary Crook, stay well away from hi, and any company he is associated with.
This guy had a company called Barantas Maritime Security, and was a Kiwi. Long story short, he never paid a lot of blokes what they were owed, myself included. He has now been bankrupted.

Insurance wise, you'll be lucky. I'm working in the Middle East and do have a life insurance policy, but it will only cover whilst I'm in NZ or any country other than Iraq, Afghan etc.

Tax wise, if you can register yourself as a Non NZ Resident, then yes there are advantages. You'll need to discuss options with an accountant, not sure how that would go for you being a UK citizen living in NZ.

I actually worked for British Maritime companies while being based out of NZ, you'd have a better chance of contacting Brit based companies. Plus there is the cost factor of flying you from NZ to the UAE or Sri Lanka etc, plus travel time.

Happy to help you with any leads if you can private message me somehow.
 
Stay clear of the above mentioned company(Barantas), the director has been bankrupted and owes ten's of thousands of dollars to Operators and creditors!!
 
Gareth

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Completely get what you are saying about moving to the other side of the world puts people off. I was working for a very good UK company who said they would give it a trail run which would find me time to look for something else, but now even they have come back with a "no thanks"!!

Thanks for the comments and all the best mate.

Jay
 
Kiwi 1961

Thanks for the warning!!

Can I ask mate, has the NZ authorities laid down that MSOs living in NZ need any licencing etc, such as the Aussie MSIC?

Regards

Jay
 
Hi Kiwi1961 (again)

I have seen NAVSEC so will give them a try, thanks.

I thought it would be so with the Life Insurance. My bank will insure me in the obvious locations with no terrorism/ war clause which is good but the premium is outrageous!! 4 times normal premiums!!

Once again thanks for taking the time to pass on advice.

Regards

Jay
 
Hi Jay,

To the best of my knowledge NZ authorities haven't laid down any stipulations around MSO, PFSO, STCW95 etc. It would be the company that you'd end up working for that would require these cert's, as most sell it to potential clients that the Operator is fully qual'd, ex Military/Police.

I know that companies are saying you need a firearms course cert, best bet is to apply for a NZ Firearms Licence, you have to sit a test with the NZ Mountain Safety Council and be fully vetted by the NZP. Also, Seamans book, you can apply for this through Maritime NZ. If you're in Auckland they have an office down on Customs Street, central city.

NavSec are a good bunch, worth a go as I know they have something coming up soon. You could also look at Maritime companies out of Singapore, try ISS and VOM (Vessel Offshore Management)
 
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