Members of the air wing of the Jamaica Defence Force come to the rescue as they rappel from the helicopter on to the vessel on which the captain and crew members were 'held hostage' by one of the terrorists.
THE SECURITY training exercise, conducted by Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL), earlier this year was a great success and proved that Jamaica is in compliance with the International Port and Ship Security (ISPS) Code developed by the International Maritime Organisation.
Under the ISPS Code, all ports are required to ensure efficient performance of all port facility security duties, control of access and monitoring of port facility and restricted areas.
All certified ports must also supervise the handling of cargo and ship stores and ensure that security communication is readily available.
In order to demonstrate compliance with these requirements, the primary objectives of the 2005 security training exercise were to demonstrate the ability of the port security personnel to detect suspicious activity on the wharves or on a vessel approaching the port, evacuation of facility and police assuming control and the response of strategic agencies.
HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION
Participants also demonstrated how the Jamaica Defence Force coastguard, air wing and marine police successfully mount a rescue mission on a vessel commandeered by terrorists.
The scenarios, therefore, involved hostage negotiation and disarming of bombs by the police.
Rear Admiral Peter Brady of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica headed the team of evaluators. The exercise was directed by Grantley Stephenson, chairman of KWL, and was coordinated by Captain John Ulett, managing director of Security Administrators Limited, the main security provider at Port Bustamante.
Senior Superintendent Newton Amos of the Jamaica Constabulary Force was the ground commander in charge of the entire exercise.
According to Mr. Stephenson, the exercise was well-executed and its components, aimed at demonstrating the facility's readiness to respond to the security threats in today's political economy (global market), were invaluable in ensuring the nation's security and economic activity.
From the exercise, KWL expect to further strengthen port security in Jamaica and is presently working on training initiatives to further upgrade the security operations of Jamaican and regional ports.
