We’re hoping to hear the Home Office’s response to questions about security on the coast when we attend the next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maritime and Ports.
The influential parliamentary group wrote to the Government about the issue following our appearance at its December meeting at Westminster.
Together with our joint venture partners State 21, we outlined the main areas of concern during a presentation titled ‘How secure is our coastline?’
A centralised command and control structure, multi-agency operations and co-ordinated intelligence gathering were among the points of debate at the meeting.
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West of Spithead, said that a centralised capability of command and control to improve inshore security was ‘exactly what was needed and something he has proposed in the past’.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group agreed to seek Government assurances about measures to bolster Great Britain’s inshore borders in the fight against such threats as people smugglers, organised crime, illegal fishing, terrorists and drugs gangs.
Now we will return to the Group’s meeting on January 30 and hope to hear the Government’s response.
The meeting will also include a presentation from Malcolm Brown, who is Director of the National Maritime Information Centre titled ‘Maritime Surveillance: what happens at the National Maritime Information Centre’.
His presentation is sure to be of interest, bearing in mind the implications for coastal and maritime security.
Terrorism and illegal immigration continue to remain high on the national agenda. Illegal fishing, people trafficking, drug smuggling and organised crime must also play a major role in any consideration of coastal and maritime security.
With multiple agencies involved, a firm focus is needed to ensure progress is made to make our 13,900km of coastal borders more secure.
This is particularly important when the maritime sector’s direct contribution to the economy is estimated at about £13.8billion, not to mention the growing threat from terrorism.
TMG and State 21 have the knowledge, experience and expertise to provide solutions for all of your maritime security needs, whether that is ashore, on board ship or in port.
Please contact us now to find out more about coastal security, the All-Party Parliamentary Group or discuss your requirements.
The latest coverage has appeared in All About Shipping as well as the Nautilus International Telegraph and Ship Management International.
Members of the Group recommended that a letter be sent to Government Ministers about security around our coast following our presentation with our joint venture partners State 21.
We will be returning with State 21 to the Group’s next meeting in January to help the reply from the Government and see what steps are going to be taken.
Please contact for all of your security needs – whether that is ashore, on board ship or in port.
Concerns about coastal security are set to be raised with the Immigration Minister after our presentation to a meeting of an influential Parliamentary maritime group.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Maritime and Ports is to seek assurances from Robert Goodwill MP about measures to bolster Great Britain’s inshore borders in the fight against such threats as people smugglers, organised crime, illegal fishing, terrorists and drugs gangs.
Delegation from The Maritime Group International (TMG) and State 21 for coastal security presentation at Parliament.
It is also due to copy the letter to Shipping Minister John Hayes MP.
A centralised command and control structure, multi-agency operations and co-ordinated intelligence gathering were among the issues raised at the meeting at Westminster.
They came after our joint presentation to the Group by international consultancy with joint venture partner and resilience management specialists State21 Limited, titled ‘How secure is our coastline?’
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West of Spithead, said that a centralised capability of command and control to improve inshore security was ‘exactly what was needed and something he has proposed in the past’.
TMG Managing Director Captain Malcolm Parrott and State 21 Business Director Tony Birr outlined the multiple agencies involved in coastal security.
They include the Border Force, the Police and the National Crime Agency as well the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, National Maritime Information Centre, Royal Navy, the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) and the voluntary sector.
Captain Parrott and Mr Birr raised potential solutions for discussion, including a new single Government agency, a single command and control structure, central intelligence gathering and analysis, and a central process for deploying resources.
MP and Lords at the presentation included co-chairmen Lord Greenway and former Shipping Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Lord Wrigglesworth, the Earl of Cork and Orrery, Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke and North Wiltshire MP James Gray.
Nearly 50 people attended the presentation, including senior figures from marine companies and organisations
Jim Fitzpatrick, co-chairman with Lord Greenway, said the presentation was very ‘valuable’ in raising questions about coastal security, co-ordinated activity, command structures and intelligence gathering.
“I suggest the All-Party group writes to the Minister and puts the questions raised by very senior members of the Group.”
The reply will be reported back to the All-Party Group.
The meeting came hot on the heels of concerns from the Independent Reviewer of Terror Legislation, David Anderson QC, about British borders being weakened by poor records kept by ferry firms.
Our delegation also included State 21 Managing Director Richard Rowland.
TMG Managing Director Malcolm Parrott said after the meeting: “The scale of the problem around our coast is becoming enormous.
“Our presentation successfully raised questions about the issue which members of the All-Party Group and attendees carefully considered and proposed ways forward.”
Mr Birr added: “Great Britain has excellent agencies with world class reputations and we hope the meeting was valuable in contributing to the debate about how these can be better utilised to secure our coastal borders more effectively.”
TMG is an international consortium of maritime services companies, marine consultancies and marine management companies with its headquarters in Seattle and regional offices in London and Honolulu.
Founded by former police officers, State 21 is resilience management consultancy delivering training, exercises and debriefing for the maritime sector.
The UK has about 13,900km of coastline. The maritime sector’s direct contribution to the economy is estimated at about £13.8billion.