Citadel Saviour

Pirates attacked two tankers off the coast of Benin as they were undergoing a ship-to-ship transfer. The vessels involved were the mother ship ‘Golden Sofia’ and the daughter vessel ‘Aidin’.

The crew locked themselves into a citadel established in the engine room for six hours, while the pirates ransacked the vessel, smashing bridge windows and security doors.

According to the latest updated 2011 Maritime Security Review Rolling Total of securiy incidents this year has seen 10 incidents where the crew locked themselves into a ‘citadel’, with the pirates then failing to gain control of the vessel, before abandoning the vessel usually after doing some damage.

It seems parallel to the debate on armed guards the use of citadels is gaining traction – but do you know enough? The IMO has stated that ciradels can only be established with the input and guidance of professional security experts. So where can you turn?

The Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) is hosting a Security Symposium onboard HQS Wellington in London on October 27th. There will be presentations by a security consultant who successfully withdrew a crew into a citadel, you will also hear from the military on their requirements and from a leading shipping organisation. There will also be a chance to meet with companies who are producing citadels and associated hardware.

Please contact Gianna Molica-Franco for more details and to book your attendance gmf@seasecurity.org

Maritime Security Review is pleased to support the SAMI event, and we will feature feedback and comment in our coming MSRInDepth reports.