For the first time officers from the US Coast Guards and New Zealand Maritime yesterday conducted a joint training to local port security personnel in an effort to strengthen the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

The Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL)’s port facility security officers from around attended the training also aimed at sharing the best practices about port security.

Conducting training were International Ports Security liaison officer from the US Coast Guards, Zeke Lyons and  Craig Cheriton from New Zeal and Maritime.

This was on the invitation of the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) in collaboration with FPCL.

MSAF is responsible for all policy and regulatory function associated with the maritime sector.

It is also responsible for meeting Fiji’s obligation to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and other international and regional organisations.

Participants got to learn about the threats to Fiji ports and its challenges, the roles and responsibilities of port facility security officers, cruise ship best practices and how to conduct security risk assessment.

“I visit Fiji at least once a year to share best practices about port security and learn how port security is implemented here and help them get better if needed,” Mr Lyons said.

“I get to travel around the world to see what they are doing, there is an international port security code that each country is responsible for implementing and Fiji is one of those and we are here to help them get better , safer and more secure.”

FPCL port facility security officer Neumi Dobui said the training was informative and would surely assist them in their daily operations, especially in ensuring that they continue to meet the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies. It prescribes responsibilities to governments, shipping companies, shipboard personnel, and port/facility personnel to “detect security threats and take preventative measures against security
incidents affecting ships or port facilities used in international trade.”

Mr Lyons and Mr Cheriton visited the Port of Suva facilities yesterday and are schedule to visit the Port of Lautoka today and Port Denarau tomorrow.