GAC offers sea marshals support and training against pirates

The GAC Group's anti-piracy service called GAC Protective Solutions, powered by Cerberus, that will now provide security and protection for ships, cargo and crew.

Core services include the provision of sea marshals, crisis management, crew training, protective equipment supply, intelligence reports and alerts, coordination with international and Coalition Maritime Task Forces, and assistance to owners with risk assessment and drafting of ship security plans as required by the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.

"The alliance between GAC and Cerberus brings together the resources, expertise and reach of the GAC Group with Cerberus Maritime Services Limited (part of Cerberus International Holdings Group), which has over 20 years of global experience in providing support to people and organisations working in hostile and difficult environments," a GAC statement said.

GAC Protective Solutions delivers an integrated and intelligence-led approach to clients, minimising operational risks to counter the growing threat of piracy and kidnapping.

"Every week brings news of threats to maritime interest," said GAC Solutions vice president Christer Sjodoff. "We want to provide vessels with the necessary equipment, training and knowledge to be better prepared for the possibility of a hostile environment as they travel the world's shipping lanes."

Said operations chief Floyd Woodrow: "We provide comprehensive medical assistance and support, access to incident response teams, crisis managers and ransom negotiators, 'International Red Flare' global medical and security evacuation service, provision of medical equipment and services and advice on hull, machinery and cargo insurance interests."

(Source: Shipping Online)