Product Description

The commercial maritime sector is highly vulnerable to theft and piracy, and presents a probable target for a major terrorist attack. The best way to prevent losses is to apply lessons learned in another arena--the struggle to curb drug smuggling. This effort has shown that successes can be achieved when effective and comprehensive security measures and procedures are implemented at key initial links in the cargo supply chain. The integrity and security of whole system are improved when efforts are focused at the primary "choke point" - the load seaports and their ships.

This book provides practical, experience-based, and proven knowledge - and a "how-to-guide" - on maritime security. McNicholas explains in clear language how commercial seaports and vessels function; what threats currently exist; what security policies, procedures, systems, and measures must be implemented to mitigate these threats; and how to conduct ship and port security assessments and plans. Whether the problem is weapons of mass destruction or cargo theft, Maritime Security provides invaluable guidance for the professionals who protect our shipping and ports.

- Holds the keys to successfully designing, implementing, and managing effective port and vessel security programs in a high-risk environment
- Provides real-world experience in Maritime Security from the Managing Director of Phoenix Management Services Group in the USA and Panama.
- Offers specifics of a model port security program and case studies of effective tactics in a high-threat environment

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #241841 in Books
• Published on: 2007-12-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 472 pages

Review
Maritime Security is a textbook that should be required reading for those homeland security officials, the U.S. Coast Guard, policy makers, goverment and private sector professionals, those who sail or take cruise ships to Western Europe, students involved in maritime security, down to hands-on level seaport security professionals nad commercial maritime transport workers...Even if you are not a national security practitioner, Maritime Security is a useful reference to qualify and validate what the popular media are saying and writing about piracy.--Gene Poteat, The Intelligencer: Journal of U.S. Intelligence Studies, 16.2, 2008.

About the Author
Mr. McNicholas is the Managing Director of Phoenix Management Services Group in the USA, Panama, and Costa Rica, Operations Support Services (Panama), and Pathfinder Consulting, LLC in the USA. Michael has over fourteen years of distinguished and progressive Law Enforcement, Military, and Intelligence experience and, most recently, twenty years as Founder/Co-Founder of several successful professional security services corporations in Latin America and the USA. A former Non-Commissioned and Commissioned Officer (Direct Presidential Appointment) in the US Army, Mr. McNicholas served for nine years in Airborne Infantry, Military Police, and Military Intelligence units. Mr. McNicholas held a TOP SECRET security clearance in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he specialized in counter-narcotics trafficking and international terrorism and served on the Vice Presidents Narcotics Interdiction Task Force and as the CIA Liaison to US Coast Guard Intelligence. Michael designed, implemented, and managed the internationally-acclaimed seaport security program at Manzanillo International Terminal Panama, the largest container port in Latin America. In 2003, he spearheaded the successful efforts to have Phoenix Management Services Group designated as the first Recognized Security Organization (RSO) by the Republic of Panama and the Dominican Republic. On behalf of the government of Panama, Phoenix evaluated and approved/rejected Ship Security Plans for over 2,500 ships in the Panama Registry. In the Dominican Republic, Phoenix conducted Port Facility Security Assessments and wrote the Port Facility Security Plans for two of the primary ports in the country. Mr. McNicholas is credited with co-pioneering the Maritime Security Team (Anti-piracy/stowaway/drug trafficking/terrorist) concept in commercial cargo shipping and has Maritime Security Teams deployed onboard container and cargo ships in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Mr. McNicholas and his staff have conducted security surveys and training in every major seaport in Latin America and the Caribbean and has been a Sole Source Contractor for a US Intelligence agency. In mid 2001, Mr. McNicholas was contracted by RAND Corporation, under funding by the Defense Intelligence Agency and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to provide an intelligence analysis of the origins and routes of arms procured by Colombian Guerrilla, Para-Military, and terrorist groups. From 2002-2004, Mr. McNicholas served as a Special Advisor to the Congress of the Republic of Panama for Counter-Narcotics, Terrorism, and Intelligence issues and on several occasions has briefed the current President of Panama on national security issues. Mr. McNicholas has conducted numerous briefings to senior intelligence officers and analysts at the US Defense Intelligence Agency and Pentagon and more recently the Department of Homeland Security on Narcotics Trafficking in Latin America, Islamic Terrorist activities in Latin America, and Maritime Security Issues. Mr. McNicholas is the author of Chapter 13 (Port Security) of the book entitled Port Engineering: Planning, Construction, Maintenance, and Security (Tsinker, Gregory, 2004, Wiley and Sons, Inc.,).

Customer Reviews

At last - a book that does what it says it will
I have only just received this volume and had a good look at it. As an introductory book on this topic, it is excellent. The text is easy to read and relevant. Some of the pictures are a bit unclear but overall the book is well worth the investment.

Best I Have Read On The Subject
I own Kidon International and we are now using this book as our maritime security training manual. Its that good.

Most Comprehensive and Informative Guide
Without a doubt, this is the most comprehensive and informative guide on this subject ever published. A must read for all management and security staff involved with the transportation business.

Clearly the author has been there "and got the t-shirt". And yet the material is not anecdotal. It is well-organized with very specific descriptions and instructions.