PRESS RELEASE
Fairfax, Virginia (PRWEB) November 26, 2012
Homeland Defense Counter-terrorism Training Corporation™, a US-based global security risk consultancy, today announced the launch of a US Coast Guard approved, IMO/ISPS Code compliant maritime shipboard security officer (SSO) training program in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective is to support the manpower staffing needs of the international maritime community.
In late October 2012, Kevin James, a US Navy veteran, and CEO of Homeland Defense Counter-terrorism Training Corp, traveled to Mombasa, Kenya to meet with directors of the Kenya Maritime Authority.
The meeting was arranged in cooperation with retired Major General, Pastor O. Awitta (retired) former Commander of the Kenya Navy and Jonathan Egalal, President of Jegalal Advanced Enterprise Solutions, a licensed manpower staffing firm also headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
An agreement was reached to begin offering International Maritime Organization and ISPS Code compliant maritime training and certification to approximately 4,500 veterans of the Kenyan Navy, Army, Police Department, and other private security professionals. The objective of this project is to provide fully qualified and licensed maritime professionals to mitigate the growing threat of piracy in the Horn of Africa and other high-risk territories worldwide.
“Many international shipping companies are waking up to the fact that Kenya shares its border with Somalia,” Kevin James commented. “The close proximity of Kenya to Somalia in addition to intimate knowledge that Kenyan and Ugandan security forces have of the region provides unmatched benefits and advantages when attempting to mitigate security risk in this area. Our ability to quickly hire, mobilization and deploy Kenyans in comparison to expats offers financial advantages that employers must consider. This effort will also significantly benefit the economy of Kenya”, said James.
The economic benefits of hiring Kenyans are wonderful, but from a practical perspective, veterans of the Kenya Navy bring invaluable wisdom and experience gained from working in the region. Its familiar waters in their own backyard. Furthermore, Kenya brings a greater cultural, political and geographic awareness unfamiliar to foreigners.
In May of 2012, the Kenya Maritime Authority earned the distinguished honor of being inducted onto the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ‘white list’. This is a remarkable accomplishment.
IMO white list inclusion means that a qualified seafarer having completed Kenya Maritime Authority approved training and vetting is fully qualified to work anywhere in the world. Shipping companies and prospective employers can rest assured that certified mariners from Kenya possess a level of knowledge and demonstrated competency of the highest international standards.
