Private Yacht Owners Warned

MAST launches new perimeter defense for super-yachts.

MAST Technololgy, part of MAST group (‘Maritime Asset Security and Training’), a maritime security and piracy protection specialist, says that super yacht owners are turning to close protection amid fears of an escalation in maritime crime due to growing instability in North Africa due to the implications of the Arab Spring. The company, which deliveries both commercial and private maritime security, provides a range of technological and physical protection services to owners of super yachts around the world.  However, already this year MAST has seen a marked increase in calls from owners, captains and managers about the security of yachts sailing near the African Continent, particularly those transiting through the Suez Canal.
 

David Gates, MAST Technology’s Head of Sales said: “We’re receiving more requests for security consultations and VIP close protection support from super yacht owners due to the deteriorating security situation in parts of North Africa.  The Suez Canal is a key route in the seasonal move of super yachts from the Mediterranean and as a result, owners are relying on measures such as armed transit teams to ensure the safe passage of their vessels.

“There’s now greater demand for professionally trained super yacht crews.  In the past, Security and H&S experience has been built up through time on board, but now there’s a greater recognition by vessel owners and brokers of their duty of care to passengers. This has become even more pressing with the amendments to the EU regulations on vessels carrying for than 12 passengers, which came in on the 31st Dec 2012.

“The super yacht world has been the source of innovation in design and in the use of technology, no more than in the area of security.  As well as providing manned escort in the form of ex British forces personnel and training to yachts and their crews, we are helping designers and manufacturers to design-in a wide range of bespoke security measures both at construction and when they are refurbished.  Indeed, we are now seeing a trend towards a greater use of military level technology in super yachts.”
 

David Gates, concludes, “Marine security has shifted from being an afterthought to an essential part of super yacht design and is most effective when it is incorporated at the build stage.  Our consultants develop the security strategy, technical specification and design the full system including the software and hardware necessary to run CCTV, access control, emergency lock-down and intrusion detection from a central control system.”

Security options for super yachts can include:

•             Deck sensors, access control, door locks
•             Emergency lock-down
•             Security lighting
•             Camera intrusion system
•             Gangway access control system
•             Diver detection sonar
•             Long-range acoustic device
•             Design of citadel systems