New Marketplace maritime courses address growing need for ship security training
Pirate raids have been commonplace at sea for centuries - in fact, it’s been a problem ever since merchants started using ships to transport goods for trade. While the issue is nothing new for the maritime community, worrying statistics show that criminal activity in the sector is on the rise.
According to the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre, there were 98 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first half of 2020 – up from 78 incidents on the same period in 2019 – and 77 seafarers were reported to have been kidnapped from their vessel or taken hostage.
Add to that a report from cyber security experts Naval Dome which showed a 400% increase in cyberattacks on maritime targets between February and June last year, and it is clear that ship and port security should be a major concern for operators.
VIRSEC® is an MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) approved training provider specialising in the delivery of regulatory, bespoke, and accredited maritime security courses – and 20 titles from the company’s suite of eLearning courses are now available on Trainingportal Marketplace.
Marketplace manager Torbjørg Undem said VIRSEC® was regarded as a high-quality provider of accredited maritime security courses and brought a new dimension to the offering on Marketplace – Mintra’s digital trading space for buyers and sellers of eLearning, classroom-based and blended training.
"The spike in incidents last year show the regulations should not be considered as a mere requirement, but critical for the protection of people and assets.”
She added: “It is clear from the growing number of piracy and cybersecurity incidents in the maritime sector that ship security should be of paramount concern to operators. Earlier this year the International Maritime Organization brought in requirements for operators to improve cyber security on board: the spike in incidents last year show the regulations should not be considered as a mere requirement, but critical for the protection of people and assets.”
The portfolio from VIRSEC® includes a wide range of topics from cybersecurity strategy and anti-kidnap awareness to cargo ship security instructions and lone worker awareness The courses are aimed at those working in commercial shipping, cruise liner and superyacht sectors.
The courses now available on Marketplace are:
- Cyber Security Strategy for Vessels
- Master’s Guide to the UK Flag
- Yacht Masters Guide to UK Flag
- Cargo Ship Security Instructions (CSSI) Module 1
- Cargo Ship Security Instructions (CSSI) Module 2
- Cargo Ship Security Instructions (CSSI) Module 3
- Maritime English Test for Senior Deck Officers (ADVANCED)
- Maritime English Test for Senior Engine Officers (ADVANCED)
- Maritime English Test for Junior Deck Officers (INTERMEDIATE)
- Maritime English Test for Junior Engine Officers (INTERMEDIATE)
- Maritime English Test for Deck Ratings (BEGINNER)
- Maritime English Test for Engine Ratings (BEGINNER)
- Anti-Kidnap Awareness Training
- Conflict Zone Threat Assessment for NGOs
- Lone Worker Awareness Training
- Safety on Campus – A Guide for Students
- Travel Security Awareness for Young People Overseas
- Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health: Level 1
- Awareness of First Aid for Mental Health: Level 2
- Anaphylaxis: Awareness & Treatment
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