ISJ | Cyber, Security and Safety at Sea
We are delighted to be featured in the International Security Journal discussing COVID-19, cybersecurity at sea, and the vulnerabilities that superyachts are exposed to.
Private superyachts are the ultimate isolation destination and chartering a superyacht is often considered to be one of the safest ways to enjoy a holiday – an appealing alternative to those who have the money, at a time when other luxury holiday options are unobtainable due to covid-19.
Private charter ensures guests can stay safeguarded in smaller, immaculately clean environments with minimal exposure to frequent public areas. Despite Covid-19 complications, once onboard the charter experience appears to remain largely unchanged for guests.
How easy is it for vessels to remain COVID-19 free safe-havens?
There are many cases where captain and crew have been confined to the yachts because of port or country restrictions and, as a result, many have implemented rigorous testing for crew to ensure the environment onboard is as safe as possible. This alone is adding additional costs and responsibility to captains to ensure that the vessel, crew and passengers remain in a sterile environment.
Additional measures include rigorous cleaning, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), regular onboard crew testing, isolating crew ashore during rotations, thermal fever detection and deeper sanitisation between charters. New technologies such as EMist – electrostatic sprayers provide direct and extremely effective disinfection and are reducing chemical use and labour costs by up to 50%.
As more travel corridors open up, itineraries are likely to include a greater mix of potential destinations. But does create a greater security risk?
Ship operators continue to face a broad range of security challenges around the globe and there have been many security incidents recorded this year throughout the Indian Ocean, West Africa, South East Asia and South America. Chris Farrell, Group Commercial Director at Priavo MAritime Security Inc. states, “The biggest risk to shipping at the minute is the quality of guards on-board vessels. Many competitors are cutting corners and budgets by using guards with very little maritime experience or training.”
“Quality is key for superyachts and despite COVID-19 restrictions, we ensure that all guards are fully vetted, trained and are on standby to deploy at short notice. All guards are tested for COVID-19 prior to embarking on a client vessel.”
A combination of security systems
Maritime security threats are dynamic with cyber continuing to pose significant risk to maritime operations. Vessels face very similar cybersecurity threats to any modern business with additional vulnerabilities arising from the way systems communicate on-board.
Pete Murphy, Group CEO at Priavo Maritime Security Inc. and the 360 Alliance articulates: “Vessels are usually managed from one central management system that controls everything from navigation and engine management to entertainment systems, lighting, air conditioning. Worryingly, these systems can be wirelessly controlled from iPads and other devices. This set-up, whilst very convenient opens up the yacht to a multitude of internal and external cybersecurity threats.
Reassuringly, from 1 January 2020, all vessels over 500gt have to incorporate cyber risk within existing safety management systems.
Priavo Maritime Security Inc. offers a layered approach to Maritime Security incorporating physical, electronic and cyber maritime services.
Read the full article at ISJ or visit our 360 maritime alliance security page.