Travellers to undergo security checks at BVI sea ports

Saturday, February 7, 2004

ROAD TOWN, BVI: Persons travelling by ferry in the British Virgin Islands will soon undergo security checks before boarding vessels.

Effective July 1 this year, the BVI and all other countries which are signatories to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will have to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The Code was established to take preventative measures against security incidents affecting members' ships and port facilities used in international trade. 

The BVI Ports Authority International Ship and Port Facility Security Officer, Captain Bingley Richardson, said that, in keeping with the security plan, individuals will be scanned and in some instances body searched depending on the level of security needed at the particular point in time.

He explained that there are three levels of security: "Security three means that there is an imminent threat; security two shows that suspicion is there; and security one is normal."

According to Captain Richardson, the security checks are meant for the safety of vessels and passengers. "It is not something we like or look forward to doing, but it is the best thing to do to ensure everyone reaches safely at his or her destination," he said.

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