Requirements of cruise ship security??

R

rossyb007

Full Registered User
Hi Guys,

I'm pretty new to the industry and to this site and just wanted to know if anyone had any information on what cruise ship companies look for when they employ security? Iv heard different things like the need for a firearms licence, CSO certification etc and just wanted some advice

Thanks to you all​
 
Call disney cruises.
That sounds sarcastic, but I am being serious.
If you were on a cruise with disney as SSO or similar, would you expect to be walking about with a gun.
It very much depends who they are and where they are and what they do.
But try disney,.....I am possibly being flippant - each line will have their own requirements

Bubba
 
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Dear forum member .

This is the reality on the Cruise Ships Industry 90% of security teams are Nepeleses or Indian .... you think these people should use guns ... Companies are cutting costs and level of training as well. So the head of the security team must have the SSO certification and the rest of the team are securuty guards and they just have some security formation and training in the vessels

And as truble say the best person to give good advise is Kurt ...

Star safe ....
 
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Rossy, as your PM function is only kicking in after you have 5 posts, I will answer you here.

Most cruise lines will require 4-6 yrs of military or police background.
Some exceptions will exist.
Security Officer in most cruise lines is in reality " Chief Security ", he will run a team of some 12-14 Gurkhas, these days Indians or Philippinos are also much in use.

The position is not an entry level position as you are running the whole security including the admin part. You are also the main investigator, and you will investigate each and every incident / accident that will take place. You must be able to take statements that must stand in any court of law.

You must have SSO certificate ( some will requir SSO&CSO ), Basic Safety STCW-95, Seaman's Health Certificate from an authorized provider.

In addition could be:
- Train The Trainer Course
- Crisis Management
- X-Ray Screener 40 hrs
- IED ID Course

If you have strong Police or Military background, they could cut you some slack.
( NOT the health certificate, Basic Safety or SSO part )

In a perfect world, you will start with an other Security Officer, he will walk you through the routines for a week or two.
Then again, you could be starting by doing the job the same moment you are walking onboard. Taking statements of members of two families that were faighting like on Jerry Springer Show:rolleyes:

Been there, done that:D

Hope the info will help.

KURT
 
Rossy007

I'd like to echo Kurt and add some of my own observations.

I used to work for Royal Caribbean & still do the odd bit of trg for them etc. With RCI the Staff Capt (2i/c of the ship) is the SSO with an expat SECO (security officer) who manages security day to day & the guards etc.

They like to take guys for SECO positions (mostly not solely) from RN or RM backgrounds or similar & also they like to start guys as the Deputy SECO (usually at least on on most of their vessels).

In a nutshell, maritime military experience and/or commercial maritime security experience will go a long way, as will ex old bill/RMP. RCI will usually provide the STCW95 up to advanced fire fighting etc, but if you can get them before applying its obviously a bonus.

A Dep is on about $2500 pm working 4 mths on 2 mths off with 50% pay on your vacation time.

SECO starts on about $3900 & goes up (not sure how quick) to about $4500 and woks 14 wks on 14 off with 100% pay on vacation.

Its a bit dead mans shoes with RCI at the mo as most guys are in receipt of a forces pension & getting the above tax free, living on a cruise liner with a secure (ish) job & no outgoings on board.

They have got a very together Global Security Department headed by an ex number 3 from the FBI & are becoming more & more professional (not that they were unprofessional before above) all the time.

The above is RCI solely as I dont really know the details & workings of other cruise comapnies & sorry, but I cant give out contact details.

Cheers all, hope it helps
 
I was a SECO 10 yrs ago. Entry level was former RM SNCO or RN Senior Rate, long service good conduct medal, min 22 years service and exemplary discharge. Then had to pay £650 for a Merchant Navy advanced firefighting course before applying, now the STCW95 basic would suffice, much the same price.

Positions at this level are now few and far between. As Sanddancer states, deadmans shoes at RCCL and those positions are now being filled by cheaper options. Kurt also makes some valid points.

Bottom line. Good at the time, shi. money! Coming from military back ground it was a good learning curve into the why's and wherefores of the merchant marine. Stood me in good stead in my marsec development.

John
 
I checked my old CBA ( collective bargain agreement ),from 2005.
It stated the starting salary of a Security Officer at 5780 $ / month.
200 $ incriment every year, up to 5 yr max.

So the salary could vary great from company to company.
 
That is true Kurt .

1 European Cruise company is paying 2500 euros month for the SSO position

the 2 IC 1800 us dollars

and the segurity guards 1400 us dollars

All the companys have diferents rates of wages , some companies pay good money but others is crap ...

Stay safe MarSec guys ...

Hidro
 
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rossyb007 said:
Hi Guys,

I'm pretty new to the industry and to this site and just wanted to know if anyone had any information on what cruise ship companies look for when they employ security? Iv heard different things like the need for a firearms licence, CSO certification etc and just wanted some advice

Thanks to you all​
Click to expand...



Many courses with plenty of theory and their diplomas to try to impress the potential client or employer .
But security is in fact almost none .
Too international regulations that ultimately are not as international as that .
I think .
 
One thing to think about.
Security on a cruise ship is a JOB, not a GIG.

You will get paid monthly like clock work.
I get my 3000 Euro per month, based on 15 working days per month ( one week on, one week off ).
I earn 2 paid vacation days per month.

I have conclude that this steady income is better for me, than time to time anti-piracy gig that could pay me 10 000$ / month ( most of the time you work EVERY day for the pay ).

I would like to look at the issue in a long run. I would look at the issue in a way, what am I able to earn annual?

One thing, I don't like to sit by the phone and wait for someone to offer me a gig:D;)
 
Afternoon

I hope this helps
I was browsing about the cruise line industry companys last night with a view to the same sort of job and came acroos this webiste where 4 major companies post there availible jobs : [url]http://www.oceanopportunities.com/[/URL]. There are no SSO job advertised on their at the moment but has an in dept discription of the current jobs availible so could be worth keeping an eye on for when one comes up and it should tell you all you need to know.

regards
Buster
 
Hi, We have been heavily involved with this sector for 6 years. Happy to give you some advice. The structure is split between Shoreside Security Management, Marine Operations Management and Hospitality (Hotel) Operations. On the ships themselves Marine Ops deals with the technical side and the interface with other vessels, port facilities, embarking, disembarking, scanning of luggage, searching etc. whilst the hotel side deal with guest related problems (usually alcohol, domestics, etc.). with the smaller cruise lines, the lines are blurred but the larger ones are generally split this way. The strucure on Ship will be Ship Security Officer (SSO) who heads up all of the security function. This position must be formaly qualified as an SSO under the ISPS Code and generally the different lines have preferences for background e.g. some like only Navy guys, others like Israeli Marines etc. Many like ex-British Forces due to the professional nature of our armed forces as opposed to conscript military forces elsewhere, plus the British are viewed to have more command for historical reasons (and as one recruiter told us, Hollywood portrays the British as being the bosses and people listen when they hear a Brit accent!). Underneath the SSO their will normally be a guard force consisting of ex-Gurkhas, Philipinos etc. who conduct the coal face aspect of the work (true for marine and hospitality ops). Some lines have seperate Hospitality Security personnel to police bars, casinos and cabins.

In the US a new piece of Legilsation has come out, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2009 which specifies minimum standards of Crime Scene training. This only happened in July of this year and very few are qualified. In fact the only independently qualified personnel in the World were trained by us (Eos Risk Management) for one of the major corporations, last month.

If you contact us directly - details on website I can have a phone chat to fill you in.

Hope this helps.

There arent a great deal of jobs in this line, but once you're in, the job is yours to lose. Money isnt as good as Hostile or other Marsec work but the perks and the locations are a big bonus).
 
Also, be very aware of sites asking for money up front. there are loads of scams in this sector. Almost all lines get their hiring partners to sign agreements stating they will not take money from candidates.
 
Hello, I'm Sarah-Jayne and I'm new to this site.
This thread has been much more helpful than the many google searches I've done recently! I'm not interested in the role of SSO, because I lack the experience and skills needed for that role. However I would like info on how to get involved in basic security guard jobs on cruise ships. I have experience in passenger searching, bag xray, patrols, cctv, etc as I currently do this in an airport. When I look at the cruise ship jobs, they don't tend to mention security - why? How can I find out more/apply for a similar role to what I do now? EOSRISK and KURT I know you both seem to know a lot about this subject - can you help me?
 
SJB, google for the largest cruise companies.
Send a general application to their Deck or HR Department mentioning you are applying for a security position.

I had many females in my security team in the past
NCL at least is one company to employ female security guards up to security supervisor level.
Hope this will help.

KURT
 
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