Port security officers undergo training

PORT facility security officers (PFSOs) of PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL) are currently undergoing a four-day training course to help them implement port security surveillance at each of the company’s ports in Papua New Guinea.
The training started yesterday at the PNGPCL’s training room at the company head office and will end on Thursday.
Participants of the course, known as Basic Port Security Familiarisation, on completion will be able to mitigate and identify port security threats and respond appropriately to different levels of security measures in accordance with a port facility security plan (PFSP).
This course will also guide the trainees to draw up a port facility security plan for PNGPCL to be implemented as soon as possible.
Facilitator of the training programme, Capt Hakaumotu Fakapelea of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) said: “The trainees will be able to have the required knowledge and understanding to perform their assigned security duties at the port facility.
“The trainees will also be able to collectively contribute to the enhancement of maritime security and implement preventive measures to prevent the breach of port security.”
He said this security-related training module was for those who would be or were employed as port security guards.
The course covers the international ship and port facility security (ISPS) code familiarisation training.
Capt Fakapelea said this was required for those employed as port security guards in ports who needed to comply with the requirements of the ISPS code.
He said the training could be done in conjunction with emergency preparedness and occupational health and safety.
A PFSO’s duties and responsibilities is to report to the relevant authorities and maintain records of occurrences that threaten the security of the port facility, coordinate implementation of the PFSP with the appropriate security officer and coordinate with security services, as appropriate.
Other duties are to ensure that the standards for personnel responsible for security of the facility are met, that security equipment is properly operated, tested, calibrated and maintained, if any and assist ship security officers in confirming the identity of those seeking to board a ship when requested.