CARIBBEAN CEMENT Company Limited yesterday staged a security exercise, dubbed Operation Bright Star, at each of the company's three ports in east Kingston. This exercise was a requirement by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) certification. Under the ISPS Code, all ports must have a security plan for preventing and responding to terrorist activity. All of the three Carib Cement ports were ISPS certified in August 2004.
In a release yesterday the cement company said each port is required to have a full exercise and quarterly drills each year to test the responsiveness of security systems and personnel. Operation Bright Star was approved by the Port Authority of Jamaica and involved the participation of the Jamaica Defence Force, Coast Guard, Fire Brigade, Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness Emergency Management (ODPEM). Observers included port agents Transocean and GraceKennedy Shipping and Caribbean Maritime Institute.
THE EXERCISE
The exercises comprised three mock situations involving potential bomb and explosive threats to the ports. The exercises, which started at 9:00 yesterday morning, were completed in 90 minutes. According to Capt. Nicholas Bayliss of the Port Authority, shortcomings for improvement in communications, coordination, resource availability and responsiveness were identified. He commended the effort and the participation of the various agencies.
