KINGSTON WHARVES Limited (KWL) conducted its first annual security training exercise on Monday, February 28, in compliance with requirements by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
Kingston Wharves Limited is among 14 domestic ports that were certified by the Government of Jamaica in June 2004, in order to continue operating as a trade conduit to the United States of America. According to Suzanne Scarlett, port facility security officer, KWL is the first port facility in the Caribbean region to have conducted a security training exercise involving a port facility and vessel.
Kingston Wharves Limited invited observers from Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis and Curacao to attend the exercise, so that they may draw on the experience to guide the similar processes in their own country ports.
The ISPS Code was developed by the International Maritime Organisation after September 11. With the changes in the U.S. Port and Maritime Security Act, such certification is necessary as all ports of countries trading with the United States must receive certification and be audited regularly.
MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION
Under the ISPS Code, all certified facilities must conduct an annual security exercise to maintain certification. The annual security training exercise, which was conducted between 0600 and 1000 hours, tested the KWL and Seaboard detection measures, possible threats, counter measures, and assessed the communication and coordination mechanisms.
The exercise also tested the critical areas of response by port employees and crew; law enforcement and military personnel, such as the JDF Infantry, Air Wing and Coast Guard. As such, members of the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Fire Brigade, Ministry of Health, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Marine Police and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica participated in the exercise and demonstrated the response and security mechanisms of these agencies.
Other observers came from other port facilities and ship traders, including Newport Wharf & Storage, Ocho Rios & Montego Bay Cruise Ships, Port Kaiser, Port Esquivel, Boundbrook and Cane Point, Lucea, Seaboard and the Caribbean Shipping Association. Among the companies represented were Shell Company of Jamaica Limited, Pertrojam Limited, Jamalco and St. Ann Jamaica Bauxite Limited (Kaiser).
Under the ISPS Code, all ports are required to ensure efficient performance of all port facility security duties, control of access and monitoring of port facility and restricted areas. All certified ports must also supervise the handling of cargo and ship stores and ensure that security communication is readily available.
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
In order to demonstrate compliance with these requirements, the primary objectives of the 2005 security training exercise were to demonstrate the ability of the port security personnel, to detect suspicious activity on the wharves or on a vessel approaching the port, evacuation of facility and police assuming control and the response of strategic agencies. Participants also demonstrated how the JDF Coast Guard, Air Wing and Marine Police successfully mount a rescue mission on a vessel commandeered by terrorists. The scenarios, therefore, involved hostage negotiation and disarming of bombs by the police.
Rear Admiral Peter Brady of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica headed the team of evaluators. The exercise
was directed by Grantley Stephenson, chairman of Kingston Wharves Limited, and was coordinated by Captain John Ulett, managing director of Security Administrators Limited, the main security provider at Port Bustamante. Senior Superintendent Newton Amos of the Jamaica Constabulary Force was the ground commander in charge of the entire exercise.
According to Exercise Director Grantley Stephenson, the exercise was well executed and its components, aimed at demonstrating the facility's readiness to respond to the security threats in today's political economy (global market), were invaluable in ensuring the nation's security and economic activity.
From the exercise, the organisers, Kingston Wharves Limited expect to further strengthen port security in Jamaica and is presently working on training initiatives to further upgrade the security operations of Jamaican and regional ports.
VESSEL/AGENT PORT OF CALL ARRIVAL
GRACE KENNEDY
| Navigator of the Seas | Ocho Rios | 08/03 |
| Radiance of the Seas | Ocho Rios | 09/03 |
| Century | MoBay | 14/03 |
JA FREIGHT
| MV Seaboard Voyager | MoBay | 08/03 |
| MV Seaboard Venture | MoBay | 11/03 |
LANNAMAN & MORRIS
| Imagination | Ocho Rios | 08/03 |
| Carnival Conquest | MoBay | 09/03 |
| Holiday Dream | MoBay | 09/03 |
| Costa Mediterranea | Ocho Rios | 10/03 |
| Carnival Triumph | Ocho Rios | 10/03 |
| Aida Aura | MoBay | 12/03 |
| Crystal Harmony | Ocho Rios | 12/03 |
| Oceana | Ocho Rios | 12/03 |
| Dawn Princess | Ocho Rios | 14/03 |
| Saga Ruby | Port Antonio | 14/03 |
SEABOARD JAMAICA
Seaboard Voyager MoBay 08/03
Seaboard Venture MoBay 11/03
