The organization should establish and document its processes for compliance with home state, local and flag state laws as regards the procurement, licensing and transhipment of firearms for each transit. Processes should also be established and documented for the licensing of individuals to use such firearms in the areas of operations where this is required under home, flag state or local national state (e.g. port, transit) laws. These processes should include a detailed plan of this process for provision to the client.
The organization should:
a) acquire and maintain legal authorisations for the possession, export and transhipment of firearms and ammunition required by applicable national and international law;
b) ensure documentary evidence is available to prove that firearms are procured, transported, embarked and disembarked legally;
c) ensure that where firearms are to be transported across international boundaries, or where they are being held on board ship (in accordance with the laws of the relevant flag states), between coastal and port states they are in possession of all the required authorisations covering all elements of the operation;
d) have a central record of all firearms and ammunition held, by type, serial number and location detailing movement, issue, receipt, maintenance, modification, usage and disposal history;
e) have robust and legally compliant arrangements for the safe and secure storage and movement of firearms when not in use. This should include written agreements for storage ashore, with military, naval or law enforcement bodies of recognized state governments;
f) comply with any home or flag state or local requirements in respect of identifying and licensing individuals who will use such firearms, including “end user certificates” where national laws apply;
g) secure the necessary written authority from the flag state and where appropriate, the coastal state, for holding stocks of firearms and ammunition on the high seas or offshore.
h) ensure that firearms issued to security teams are adequate for the task of deterring, and if necessary defending against Pirate Action Group attacks;
i) have detailed procedures for regular and frequent checks of firearms, ammunition and other security related equipment, and for investigating discrepancies;
j) ensure that where firearms and ammunition are being transported they are held in secure containers, and procedures exist for the recovery of all firearms and ammunition at the conclusion of the operation;
k) maintain records detailing the issuing and receipt of firearms, ammunition and equipment to personnel, showing the individuals to whom issued; serial numbers of firearms and equipment and the quantities and types of ammunition held;
l) have procedures to detail how ammunition is to be accounted for on deployed operations and reconciled on completion of a transit;
m) have procedures that cover arrangements for the safe testing and zeroing of firearms and for live- firing exercises on board prior to undertaking assigned security tasks;
n) ensure that their personnel only use licensed firearms and ammunition as stipulated in the contract;
o) have procedures for the regular maintenance of firearms and security equipment to ensure they remain fit and safe for purpose;
p) establish and agree procedures with the Master as regards the designated areas aboard where firearms may or may not be carried, together with further agreed procedures about the state of firearms readiness;
q) establish and agree procedures with the Master as regards safe area loading and unloading of firearms and security related equipment.
