Trident Operations

S

silversurfer

Full Registered User
Hi Guys ,
I have just completed the Trident Maritime Security Operative course held at Poole one week ago.
I am an experienced C P operative and have my SSO PFSO and CSO certificates.
I was looking for a course that would deliver essential skills for entering the MARSEC industry. The Trident Maritime Security Operators course exceeded my expectations.
Well guys this was a superb course , trainers from an experienced operational background and invaluable real time info on how to prepare , conduct yourself , react , respond and deliver as a MARSEC Team member.
I feel now that I am prepared mentally and have sufficient knowledge to operate to a high standard. I have been extremely lucky to get my first transit and I know the training I have had will stand me good stead. Once I have a few more transits under my belt I will be returning to Trident to complete the Trident TL course.
This course delivers , it does exactly what it says on the tin.
Look Trident up and give them a call.
I would also like to thank the trainers personally for such a good course.
S.H
 
silversurfer said:
Once I have a few more transits under my belt I will be returning to Trident to complete the Trident TL course.
Click to expand...

To be honest mate, if the course wasa as good as you think it is, 'with a few transits under
your belt' with good in house team training, you shouldn't have to do the extra course.
 
SS

I've got no probs with fellas seeking training in areas they may not be knowledgeable about, so nice one there. Thats what 'training' is all about after all.

When I started in marsec I was thrown in at the deep end & it was sink or swim ! (see what I did there?) A relevant training course beforehand would obviously have helped. But....... it can all be learned on the job from an experienced TL, its not rocket science.

We get loads of guys on almost a daily basis asking the same questions 'how do I get started in marsec/what are the best courses to get into marsec', and debates still rage.

So, could you do others who may be in the same position as you a favour also? Once you have done a transit or two, please post again as to how relevant & realistic the course & content were to the actual game (i.e. from a: what you really have to do onboard perspective, as opposed to padding out a course with unrealistic & unnecessary B.S.)

I'm sure after a few ops you'll be in a better place then to say how good (or not) the course was.

Cheers

p.s. how much do they charge by the way for either course: MSO or MSTL ? Annoyingly they dont say on their website. I kin hate that :mad:
 
S.H,

Many thanks for the positive feedback from the course and I am delighted that you have now been selected for a MarSec task, so quickly after completing your Trident MSO course - best of luck. I would welcome your comments on the value of the course after your task, as that is the acid test.

@ protectasia,

Many thanks for the critical comments. We welcome all comments that are well thought through, authoritative and grounded in hard facts - it can only make our courses better!

However, consider this: Is it right for a security professional breaking into the industry for the first time to undertake on-the-job training and how should we define "good in-house training"? Is this really good enough for: 1. The individual undertaking the task as a member of a team - arguably all with mixed abilities and experience, 2. The reputation of the company that you represent and importantly, 3. The client that is paying good money for what they expect to be a quality service provided by maritime security specialists. Where is the quality assurance and how do you ensure that team members are appropriately trained. It takes a full three days to teach the basics of MSO work on the course - is the on-the-job training sufficient, effective and consistent?
 
TridentOps said:
S.H,

Many thanks for the positive feedback from the course and I am delighted that you have now been selected for a MarSec task, so quickly after completing your Trident MSO course - best of luck. I would welcome your comments on the value of the course after your task, as that is the acid test.

@ protectasia,

Many thanks for the critical comments. We welcome all comments that are well thought through, authoritative and grounded in hard facts - it can only make our courses better!

However, consider this: Is it right for a security professional breaking into the industry for the first time to undertake on-the-job training and how should we define "good in-house training"? Is this really good enough for: 1. The individual undertaking the task as a member of a team - arguably all with mixed abilities and experience, 2. The reputation of the company that you represent and importantly, 3. The client that is paying good money for what they expect to be a quality service provided by maritime security specialists. Where is the quality assurance and how do you ensure that team members are appropriately trained. It takes a full three days to teach the basics of MSO work on the course - is the on-the-job training sufficient, effective and consistent?
Click to expand...

Yawn ! Not this old chestnut again !!! You've had your free advertisement mate, now leave it at that & for comments comensurate with what this forum as a whole is (or should be) all about eh.

By the way, lovely marketing touch about getting a task after such a short time etc, just lovely.
 
TridentOps said:
S.H,

Many thanks for the positive feedback from the course and I am delighted that you have now been selected for a MarSec task, so quickly after completing your Trident MSO course - best of luck. I would welcome your comments on the value of the course after your task, as that is the acid test.

@ protectasia,

Many thanks for the critical comments. We welcome all comments that are well thought through, authoritative and grounded in hard facts - it can only make our courses better!

However, consider this: Is it right for a security professional breaking into the industry for the first time to undertake on-the-job training and how should we define "good in-house training"? Is this really good enough for: 1. The individual undertaking the task as a member of a team - arguably all with mixed abilities and experience, 2. The reputation of the company that you represent and importantly, 3. The client that is paying good money for what they expect to be a quality service provided by maritime security specialists. Where is the quality assurance and how do you ensure that team members are appropriately trained. It takes a full three days to teach the basics of MSO work on the course - is the on-the-job training sufficient, effective and consistent?
Click to expand...

Trident,

You may want to go back and read my post before you go on the defensive, or at least press, pause and speak. At no time did I say that it is right for a security professional breaking into the industry for the first time to undertake in house training. And besides, if he is breaking into the industry for the first time, what maritime experience does he have to base any courses or training on?

Good for you that you have taken time and produced a marsec course aimed at an operator regarding today’s piracy threat. My post was actually aimed at the need to return and complete a TL's course after a few transits.

I actually said that if the course is as good as the participant said it was, (and I see no reason why it shouldn’t be with the expertise in the Poole area) with regular transits which include good training and regular drills being conducted by the Team Leader, I question the need for any additional Team Leader's course. The TL should train his team to be capable to step into his shoes if he is incapacitated for any reason. He should run his guys through the drills explaining at every point what other actions are being taken by the ship’s crew/security team so they understand the big picture and step up to the plate in the event of any redundancy.

Like you I base my comments on hard based facts and above all personal experience.

Apologies if my humble opinion goes against your marketing strategy, just expected your reading of posts and replies to be as as you thorough as your training.
 
Last edited:
Bevs

Unless I have been led down the garden path over the last few years.........

The MCA do not currently approve any marsec courses other than the IMO model ISPS code CSO/SSO courses.

There are many plays on words out there in the marketing world but that is the reality!

John
 
John is absolutely right about accreditation and I have answered this question previously under a different thread on the CPW Training Forum. I have already approached MCA on the accreditation issue and they are really only focussed on ISPS Code related courses. If you hear any differently elsewhere, I'm afraid you are being misinformed. To this end we are seeking accreditation through other training and maritime related bodies.

Of course accreditation is important for credibility, but more so is the value that students get from the courses - only the MarSecPro's that have attended the course and put what they have learnt into practice can honestly give it the real seal of approval.

@protectasia - thanks for the kind words of support and please note that there was no offence (or defence) intended on my part - perhaps I was just a little robust in my reply - my apologies. A lot of work has gone into making the Trident courses worth peoples hard earned money - I've been there, so I know how important it is to give people what they need, rather than what you think they might need.

The Maritime Security Team Leader course is another educational course in that is standardises passage plan and ship vulnerability assessment formats and reporting and briefing formats, as well as covering contingency planning and leadership. Again, like the MSO course, it provides a baseline standard.

Hope that clears things up?
 
Cheers John and TridentOps,

But please why would an individual want to spend their money on a course thats got no accreditation from one of the main players i would think of like the MCA its like this MSO course thats out great idea to get away from the SSO type stuff as we all know it doesn't teach you anti-piracy to really any level unless the service provider has added or adapted the course like IMSA SSO+.

Surly it would be like me doing a CP and SIA course without getting the final result i want to work in the industry.

Trident im in no way suggesting people don't do your course because you already have a satisfied customer so im sure your course is good, but if i could do and SSO course like the ones who do have the MCA backing like DC, IMSA and even Videotel (online) why would i want to spend that money when i could even get a merest job then gain the relevant experience on job. As already stated the job to the average switched on operator is not hard it is basics with a few twists thrown in by each TL, and please tell me more about this Team Leader course again why would i want to spend money on a course like this, as a new be to the industry that course would be laughed at from any mersec company interviewing and then from an experienced guy who's done a few transits they would automatically follow the normal routine of being promoted due to the guys experience.

Sorry guys i think these new SSO course and MSO course that revolve around the job we do are a good idea but if they don't come with the backing, accreditation then personal i would not advise anyone to spend there money,

Regards

Damian
 
Trident,

out of curiousity, who will be accrediting the course and when do you envisage getting the accreditation?
 
Hi to All,
Can someone tell me once and for all, What do I need to get onto a ship doing Armed security?
There are so many courses been sold out there SSO ect and the money spent soon mounts up.
I just want a course which will get me work as security on a ship. I have my SIA licence and have worked in Iraq on PSD,
I'm looking for a change and experience in another field ie ships security.
Many thanks from a confused Dai28 looking for work.
 
Dai28 said:
Hi to All,
..... snipped "Can someone tell me once and for all, What do I need to get onto a ship doing Armed security?" snipped.....
Click to expand...

Hey, please let me know when you find the definitive answer. I am sure there is a lot of people out there that would also like to know.
 
Dai,

Mate there is NO definitive answer anyone can give you, yes the bare basics but thats it. You have some individuals swear by SCTW95 and others who don't, and so on and so on.
Do yourself a favour get in-touch with a few of theses companies that you would like to work for and they will tell you what is need to work for them...the bar is pretty much level for all companies but some do have a few extras they ask of there operators and when that happens its up to you if you need to get that qualification......you ever want that job or you don't!.

Im not going to post again the basics of what i think an operator needs to start as this forum alone has a million new faces ask that same question please do your home work and look back through the already excellent threads already answering your question,

Regards

Damian
 
Dai28 said:
Hi to All,
Can someone tell me once and for all, What do I need to get onto a ship doing Armed security?
There are so many courses been sold out there SSO ect and the money spent soon mounts up.
I just want a course which will get me work as security on a ship. I have my SIA licence and have worked in Iraq on PSD,
I'm looking for a change and experience in another field ie ships security.
Many thanks from a confused Dai28 looking for work.
Click to expand...

Dai,

It's not about doing a one-hit course, it's about building up a portfolio of courses. If you seriously want to get into offshore MarSec work, then you should be looking at STCW 95, ENG1 Seafarers Med. Cert. and proof of recent training and competency in weapon handling. If working for offshore O&G, they may well stipulate the BOSIET (Helicopter U/W Escape) course. Team leaders as a minimum should have SSO.

You should also be in possession of a Seafarer's Discharge Book (to get this you will need to get a vessel of the Flag State that you are applying to to sign you up, apart from certain exceptions, alternatively you can apply for the Seaman's Card - note certain Arabic countries will insist that you have the Discharge Book). Up to date passport obviously with 6 clear pages and a Yellow Fever certificate. Some O&G companies off West Africa insist that you are on a programme of Malaria Prophylaxis to work on their spreads.

You will often be required to provide an up to date CRB check costing around £47 a shot, alternatively a current SIA licence also demonstrates that the same criminal background checks have been carried out.

Many companies ask for SSO, but that is only because there was no alternative training course, now there is - Trident MSO. SSO is not designed specifically for the MSO and I am sure that all that have completed the course would agree - it's one of the big misconceptions in my opinion. That said, if you are serious about being a maritime professional, then you should do the course, again in order to create the maritime specific portfolio.

Trident MSO will give you the skills needed to conduct yourself as a MarSec Operator, SSO simply will not, but like I said it is a good idea to do the course, so that you know the basics of ISPS Code and can speak the same language, after all, if the Master of a vessel also happens to be the SSO and starts to talk about the Declaration of Security and you look back at him blankly, he is going to wonder what sort of 'maritime specialist' you really are.

Trident MSO will be accredited, but it has only recently be put through the pilot process. Those that we are engaged with have indicated very clearly to us that their name should not be used in any way until such time as they have fully accredited our course, which is not going to be a quick process. Therefore we must respect this position. Irrespective of the accreditation issue, professionals should decide what is more important - a tick in the box or the important knowledge and skills to give you the inside track and ensure that you are able to conduct yourself professionally and with an awareness of ship culture, without which can create friction with the crew and affect your reputation and that of the company that you are working for?

Critically, what you can prove on completion of the MSO course, is that you have been taught to a baseline standard on the appropriate and proportionate responses to a maritime attack, inclusive of Rules on Use of Force and the Use of Force Continuum, as well as the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. These key aspects are swept up in the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies/Service Providers that will soon become enforced. This document stipulates that Private Security Companies will need to demonstrate how their operators are trained, to what standard and currency. Trident MSO is the first course of its kind to address these training requirements.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top