The Maritime Security Accreditation Programme is designed to deliver robust verification and certification for companies providing security to merchant ships, offshore installations and port facilities worldwide.
An international Non-Governmental Organisation, the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) acts as an independent Trade Association for the maritime security sector, now one of the fastest-growing fields within the whole security space.
SAMI has already forged excellent relationships with international shipping associations and the insurance sector in an industry-led concerted bid to drive and set global standards.
Its membership – consisting of over 60 maritime security providers from across the globe – is active in countering the spread of piracy, drug smuggling, trafficking and terrorism: threats which we hear about in the national media almost on a daily basis.
The risk is now global, and not just limited to the high risk area around the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Operations carried out by SAMI members mean that it’s essential for quality service providers come to the fore.
Importance of a stringent inspection regime
Commenting on the importance of a stringent inspection regime, SAMI director Peter Cook explained: “It was prudent for the SAMI Accreditation Programme to employ an independent third party to implement the scheme. Our choice of the NSI was clear due to its thorough approach to inspection processes and knowledge and experience of the security sector in general.”
Cook formed SAMI earlier this year having served in the Royal Marines for 24 years. Much of his career involved maritime security and maritime counter-terrorism planning and practice.
Jeff Little OBE, chief executive of the NSI, added: “Piracy has grown rapidly in recent years to become one of the most difficult challenges facing the maritime and security sectors today. The immediacy of that threat can be seen by the speed and momentum SAMI has generated over such a short space of time.”
Little added: “This is a very demanding remit and we’re delighted that SAMI have selected us to take forward the third party certification of a security industry sector which is developing very quickly. As an organisation, our overriding mission is to maintain and improve standards, and we look forward to undertaking that task in this dynamic and challenging environment.”
Up-and-running next month
SAMI’s Accreditation Programme for maritime security companies will begin in November 2011. Only after companies have passed an extremely thorough assessment will full SAMI accreditation be granted. Thereafter, accreditation verifications will be undertaken on an annual basis.
SAMI has the backing of the Marshall Islands flag State, and has support from international shipping organisations and the maritime insurance and legal sectors.
For a full list of SAMI members and more information about the Association and its work visit its The official Internet home of the Security Association for the Maritime Industry
NSI Sponsors Contribution to Standards in the Security Sector category at 2011 Security Excellence Awards
The NSI is sponsoring the Contribution to Standards within the Security Sector category at the Security Excellence Awards, an annual event celebrating the significant contribution and key achievements of individuals and organisations from across the private security industry.
To be held next Wednesday at the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, this prestigious UBM-organised event regularly attracts over 1,000 influential guests from across the spectrum of the profession.
As the leading certification body for the sector (and one harbouring a long-standing association with Best Practice and raising standards), the NSI-sponsored category will be presented to the organisation or person actively implementing and/or promoting the importance of standards.
This year’s award will be specifically dedicated to the memory of John Clifford. John was the operations director at the NSI until his untimely death in June last year. He joined the Inspectorate in 1997 following a distinguished career with the police service.
Throughout his time with both the police and with NSI, John remained a flag bearer for improving both quality and standards across the security domain. It’s therefore fitting that we all remember him in 2011 by dedicating the inaugural NSI Contribution to Standards Award to his memory.
Encouraging excellence, promoting significant contributions
Commenting on the NSI’s involvment in the SEAs, Jeff Little explained: “The NSI is extremely proud to be a sponsor at this year’s event. These awards play an important role in encouranging excellence and promoting the significant contribution which the industry, and in particular the individuals who work within it, make to the protection of people, property and assets nationwide.”
Little concluded: “Our congratulations extend to all of the finalists for the Contribution to Standards Award, and indeed all of those shortlisted in each of the categories represented at this year’s event.”
