MAST agrees security personnel in the UK and elsewhere need to be able to train on the firearms they will use on-board vessels

LONDON, UK, September 18, 2013 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd, the maritime security and training specialist, says that current UK regulation is hindering best practice training for Private Military Security Companies (PMSCs) and could ultimately damage industry reputation.

MAST shares the concerns raised at the London International Shipping Week, Security in Complex Environments Group panel debate at the House of Commons last week, on the current UK firearms regulations that inhibit PMSCs from training with firearms on British soil before they are deployed on vessels.

It says that if PMSCs are not authorised to train personnel with the appropriate weapons the reputation of the industry could suffer, as without consistency clients may lack confidence in a service provider’s competency. Also, the perception of variable standards in firearms handling by PMSCs training guards abroad further reduces the PMSC’s competitiveness.

Currently the UK’s regulation is at odds with The International Code of Conduct for the regulation of private security companies which requires appropriate weapons training. In response to this, MAST has invested in developing a firing range with its partners in Malta to allow its security personnel, and indeed others, to train on the full calibre version of the weapons used on-board ships.

MAST believes that the establishment of weapons training facilities in the UK, along with strict guidelines and associated standards, would reassure clients and develop industry consistency, leading to world-class competitiveness in the PMSC industry.

Phillip Cable, CEO of MAST stated, “Private Military Security Companies operate internationally and thereby ought to adopt exceptional and consistent international standards which clients can feel confident in. The highest quality training is vital in this industry, to ensure both personnel and client safety. For the PMSC industry to be trusted and respected, the UK, along with the international community, need to work together to ensure the highest standards.”

For further information visit: http://www.mast-commercial.com/

About MAST
Maritime Asset Security and Training (MAST) Ltd is a market leading security organisation that provides specialist global security services for the maritime and oil and gas communities. Holding membership of leading professional bodies, MAST is also ISO 9001:2008 accredited for the provision of global maritime security services for the shipping and yachting industry and holds the ISO 14001:2004, the criteria for an environmental management system. MAST is accredited with the occupational health and safety management international standard, OHSAS 18001, for all of its global operations. The Company is one of the founding signatories of the International Code of Conduct and has been scrutinised and accepted by some of world’s leading shipping companies, charterers and insurers and is approved to operate under the Panama Flag.

Alistair Kellie
Newgate Communications
+44 (0)20 7680 6558
email us here

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