Cruise Vessels

Meridian.us is pleased to support cruise vessel operators in achieving their goals of promoting the safety and security of passengers, crews, and assets by providing security training, physical security, response plan preparation, and incident management.

BACKGROUND

The cruise industry continues to experience significant growth. For example, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) projected its members will serve 25.3 million passengers in 2017, compared to 17.8 million in 2009. In meeting the increasing demand, the industry is planning to build 97 new ships over the next ten years.

The cruise industry is a heavily regulated industry. All cruise ships are designed and operated in compliance with the strict requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), e.g., the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. They are subject to periodic inspections and surveys by their Flag State and Port State authorities, and classification society.

From 2014 to 2016, the Coast Guard National Response Center annually received about 65 incident reports from cruise ship operators. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported significant increase in the number of alleged sexual assaults on board cruise vessels. Also, the U.S. Coast Guard reported access deficiency remains a serious problem. (see Appendix A).

Consequently, new laws, e.g., Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), have been recently passed to enhance safety of passengers. Additionally, CLIA developed best practices for safeguarding children in youth activity centers.

OUR COMPANY

In 2009, Meridian.us was formed to provide a cost‐effective solution to combating piracy. We were the first US‐based, ISO 28007‐certified maritime security firm. Since then we have also achieved ISO 9001 certification and today we provide comprehensive services that promote safety, security, and environmental protection.

Meridian.us personnel have extensive experience in security, law enforcement, critical energy infrastructure, incident and crisis management, and regulatory compliance in the government and private sectors. Our team members have served in senior security and regulatory roles with government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.

Our subject matter experts have demonstrated the technical expertise and ability to deliver the best performance while serving in leadership positions as:

• Captain of the Port
• Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection
• Federal Maritime Security Coordinator
• Federal On Scene Coordinator
• Federal Security Director
• Corporate Health, Safety and Environmental Director
• Corporate Security Director
• Corporate Marine Operations Director
• Port and Maritime Security Specialists
• Criminal Investigations
• Marine Salvage

Additionally, our personnel have the following certifications:

• Transportation Senior Executive Service Member
• Professional Engineer
• ISM, ISO 9001, & 14001 Auditor
• Marine Inspector
• Marine Casualty Investigator
• Criminal Investigator
• ICS Instructor
• Homeland Security Exercise Evaluator
• ISPS Instructor and Auditor

Meridian.us has extensive experience in the compliance and enforcement of federal maritime safety, security and environmental protection laws and regulations, and international standards. Examples include:

• Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)
• 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 104 Maritime Security: Vessels
• 33 CFR 105 Maritime Security: Facilities
• 33 CFR 126 Handling of Dangerous Cargo at Waterfront Facilities
• 33 CFR 127 Waterfront Facilities Handling Liquefied Natural Gas and Liquefied Hazardous Gas
• 33 CFR 154 Facilities Transferring Oil or Hazardous Materials in Bulk
• 33 CFR 155 Oil or Hazardous Material Pollution Prevention Regulations for Vessels
• 33 CFR 156 Oil and Hazardous Material Transfer Operations
• 33 CFR 158 Reception Facilities for Oil, Noxious Liquid Substances, and Garbage
• 49 CFR 172 – 176 Hazardous Materials Transportation
• 49 CFR 193 – 194 Pipeline Security and Response
• Safety of Life At Sea Convention (SOLAS)
• International Safety Management (ISM) Code
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
• International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

OUR APPROACH

In delivering a scalable and cost effective solution that meets or exceeds client expectations, Meridian.us uses a risk-based approach and employs highly experienced subject matter experts. We have developed work processes that utilize lessons learned and best practices. We determine areas of emphasis by examining client’s compliance status, industry trends, and regulator’s priorities. We deploy senior consultants who have a broad understanding of the maritime safety net and the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgment to solve your immediate issues and to generate quality performance improvement plan.

OUR SERVICES

In supporting cruise vessel operators in achieving their goals for promoting safety and security of passengers, crews, and assets, we provide the following services:

• Business Continuity Planning;
• Contractor risk assessment;
• Threat assessment;
• Security and response plans preparation and maintenance;
• Security training;
• Support of drills and exercises;
• Facility response planning;
• Vessel response planning Physical security;
• Crowd and protest management;
• Crisis communication;
• Incident management;
• Incident investigation;
• Safety and environmental management systems assessment and improvement; and
• Organizational safety culture assessment.

For normal operations, we can help protect cruise vessel and terminal by deploying a team of multi-skilled personnel to provide prevention and response measures (see Appendix B). When comprehensive support is needed for ensuring effective threat assessment, contingency preparedness, and management systems, our highly-experienced project managers and subject matter experts are ready to assist (see Appendix C).

Reference: U.S. Department of Transportation Cruise Line Incident Reports

Reference: U.S. Coast Guard Port State Control 2016 Annual Report

PREVENTION

RESPONSE

THREAT ASSESSMENT

CONTINGENCY PREPAREDNESS

PREVENTION

RESPONSE

CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association

CVSSA – Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act

IMO – International Maritime Organization

ISPS – International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

MARPOL – International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

MSC – IMO Maritime Safety Committee

STCW – Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention