The Seychelles is an important cruise tourism destination. Screening checkpoints for passengers and their baggage are key in ensuring the safety and security of international ports.
A new IMO developed training course in maritime cruise, ferry passenger and baggage screening and searching took place at the Seychelles Defence Academy (26-28 April). Thirty officers from six government agencies* with responsibility for port terminal security learnt about effective screening and searching of passengers and their baggage. The Seychelles welcomes thousands of passengers via air and sea every year, making it extremely important to have an effective screening system.
This three-day national workshop is being piloted by IMO to support Member States in dealing with new and emerging threats to maritime security. The new course is aimed specifically at security staff, their supervisors and port facility security officer, to highlight good practice including: the setting up and design of screening checkpoints for passengers and their baggage; the effective use of security equipment; and the calibration of security equipment to ensure its optimal use.
IMO is also developing a more advanced training course in this area, which will include practical hands-on training on how to carry out an effective body search, and how to properly use x-ray screening techniques to screen baggage.
This training in maritime cruise and ferry passenger and baggage screening and searching is only one of a number of new training courses and workshops being rolled-out by IMO, with further courses being trialled over the next couple of years.
The workshop was conducted under the auspices of the Jeddah Amendment to Djibouti Code of Conduct with funding from the EU Port Security project.
* Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority, Seychelles Coast Guard, Seychelles Revenue Commission, Seychelles Marine Police, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, and Seychelles Anti-Narcotic Bureau