Maritime Asset Security and Training has been appointed by EPC-UK plc to provide Pyrotechnic General Handler training

LONDON, LONDON, UK, January 16, 2014 /EINPresswire.com/ -- MAST (‘Maritime Asset Security and Training’) Ltd (www.mast-commercial.com), the leading maritime security and piracy protection specialist, has been appointed by EPC-UK plc to provide Pyrotechnic General Handler training for the delivery of its Time Expired Pyrotechnic (TEP) disposal contract with the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).

MAST has designed, developed and is delivering the General Handler course, along with the implementation of a Continuous Training syllabus and is currently looking at delivering a training solution to support the MCA Senior Management in the collection and disposal of Time Expired Pyrotechnics, such as maritime sea safety flares.

Time Expired Pyrotechnics pose a significant danger to the public, with the maritime community and other users legally obliged to dispose of marine flares and other pyrotechnics that have reached the end of their useable life.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) suspended pyrotechnic disposal operations in 2010, meaning the maritime community has to make its own provision for the safe disposal of flares and other pyrotechnics. The MCA, with the assistance of the Department of Transport, continues to accept Time Expired Pyrotechnics, with EPC UK plc leading on the contract to store, transport and dispose of these materials.

MAST’s EOD services provide a comprehensive commercial solution for the disposal of time expired pyrotechnics under its Miscellaneous Pyrotechnic for Disposal (MPFD) framework. This framework, with approved UK HSE packaging, has been used as the foundation to help improve the MCA’s current safe system of work and subsequent planned training delivery over the next 4 years.

Richard Battrick, the EOD Technical Director at MAST stated:
"We are delighted to be working with EPC-Plc to provide specialist pyrotechnic General Handler training.

“MAST has extensive experience in safely handling and disposing of explosives and ordnance, working with commercial organisations, governments and the armed services to provide specialist support, training and the design of UXO disposal programmes.

Since the MOD suspended time-expired pyrotechnic disposal operations the maritime community has relied on the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency, some local authorities and emergency services UXO operations to collect and safely dispose of this material. Ensuring that staff are able to handle and manage this process is clearly critical and we are delighted to work with EPC to help them achieve this on the MCA contract.”

The safe handling of pyrotechnics is not just a Maritime Coastguard Agency problem and MAST can also deliver training solutions to Police Authorities, Fire Services or any other organisation that has to manage or deal directly with pyrotechnics in any capacity and their associated hazards.

Football fans have made the news of late with incidents involving smoke bombs and flares that have been smuggled into football grounds and set-off in the public domain. Notwithstanding that it is an offence for a person to enter or attempt to enter a football ground in the possession of any such items, the incorrect use of a projectile pyrotechnic may have fatal consequences, hence the severity of risking criminal charges.

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About MAST Technology
MAST Technology (www.Mast-technology.com) was established in 2008 and is now a respected brand in the maritime security industry, specialising in security consultancy for Super Yachts. Supporting some of the most iconic vessels in the industry, MAST Technology specialises in assisting yacht builder, designers, owners, captains and operators create highly innovative, cohesive security solutions that are all-embracing, easy to use and fully integrated.

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

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