One question I get asked regularly is if there is a need for CCTV surveillance on cruise ships?
It must be remembered that the majority of malls, hotels, resorts, casinos, retail stores and public facilities all incorporate a level of CCTV surveillance within their overall security system. Bearing in mind, surveillance is not part of security but an independent system which enhances security and is often integrated with physical security measures. Each surveillance system has their sphere of influence and monitoring objectives, which are laid down as per the relevant requirements, restrictions and legal policies.
With this in mind, a cruise ship; and we are talking a decent sized cruise ship with an average of 1 000 crew and 2 500 – 3 000 guests, is a physical entity of a limited size which incorporates restaurants, retail areas, recreational areas, generally a casino, guest accommodation and other critical areas such as the engine room and bridge. Now, if you consider the need for CCTV surveillance on a land based structure, such as a mall, then you will appreciate that having all these various facilities forced into an area the size of the ship would necessitate the need for an effective and carefully well laid out and planned CCTV surveillance system.
So, how does it all work?
Hotel: CCTV Surveillance is needed to ensure guest protection and safety at all times. It is a preventative and dynamic measure and monitoring of all ship based facilities allows the cruise line to ensure that everyone has fun without getting hurt. Reviews are conducted for reports of theft, abuse and other security related complaints and Surveillance fulfils a compliance audit function in ensuring that all policies and procedures are adhered to and practiced, in particular, USPH policies and practices. Living and working in such a self contained environment can lead to various health problems if there is a lack of proper health and hygiene practises.
Security: As mentioned, Surveillance assists with all security related incidents and is instrumental in providing an additional layer of security for access control onto and off the ship and to controlled areas. In various ports around the world, monitoring of the external cameras also ensures a proactive approach to ensuring that no suspicious small craft approach too closely. Surveillance onboard compliments and assists shipboard security in their daily tasks being able to provide critical information on developing situations, etc.
Casino, Bars and retail: We all know Surveillance and casinos go hand in hand, so there is no need to explain this further.
Monitoring of retail outlets and bars is another function of shipboard surveillance. Yes, cruise ship retail outlets do experience shrinkage and theft, however, due to various policies, no effective loss and prevention program is in place. Currently, proactive monitoring of the retail areas is the most effective measure of countering any form of stock theft/shrinkage.
The same applies to the bar outlets onboard, active monitoring and reviewing of functions, etc assists in controlling stock losses.
Safety, compliance audits: A prime function of surveillance is the monitoring of safety and coupled with this is compliance audits. The IMO, ISPS and company based safety management systems are all focused on ships’ safety, including crew, guests, material and equipment. Surveillance is in the best position to record and report any breaches in safety or any threats to the ship, crew, guests, material or equipment. This is one of the primary functions of the surveillance operator, to constantly watch and monitor for any safety issues.
All in all, the need for CCTV Surveillance onboard cruise ships is a real need. The only limitations are budget and the senior management motivation to install such a system, bearing in mind that CCTV Surveillance is a loss prevention system and not revenue generating.
It must be remembered that the majority of malls, hotels, resorts, casinos, retail stores and public facilities all incorporate a level of CCTV surveillance within their overall security system. Bearing in mind, surveillance is not part of security but an independent system which enhances security and is often integrated with physical security measures. Each surveillance system has their sphere of influence and monitoring objectives, which are laid down as per the relevant requirements, restrictions and legal policies.
With this in mind, a cruise ship; and we are talking a decent sized cruise ship with an average of 1 000 crew and 2 500 – 3 000 guests, is a physical entity of a limited size which incorporates restaurants, retail areas, recreational areas, generally a casino, guest accommodation and other critical areas such as the engine room and bridge. Now, if you consider the need for CCTV surveillance on a land based structure, such as a mall, then you will appreciate that having all these various facilities forced into an area the size of the ship would necessitate the need for an effective and carefully well laid out and planned CCTV surveillance system.
So, how does it all work?
Hotel: CCTV Surveillance is needed to ensure guest protection and safety at all times. It is a preventative and dynamic measure and monitoring of all ship based facilities allows the cruise line to ensure that everyone has fun without getting hurt. Reviews are conducted for reports of theft, abuse and other security related complaints and Surveillance fulfils a compliance audit function in ensuring that all policies and procedures are adhered to and practiced, in particular, USPH policies and practices. Living and working in such a self contained environment can lead to various health problems if there is a lack of proper health and hygiene practises.
Security: As mentioned, Surveillance assists with all security related incidents and is instrumental in providing an additional layer of security for access control onto and off the ship and to controlled areas. In various ports around the world, monitoring of the external cameras also ensures a proactive approach to ensuring that no suspicious small craft approach too closely. Surveillance onboard compliments and assists shipboard security in their daily tasks being able to provide critical information on developing situations, etc.
Casino, Bars and retail: We all know Surveillance and casinos go hand in hand, so there is no need to explain this further.
Monitoring of retail outlets and bars is another function of shipboard surveillance. Yes, cruise ship retail outlets do experience shrinkage and theft, however, due to various policies, no effective loss and prevention program is in place. Currently, proactive monitoring of the retail areas is the most effective measure of countering any form of stock theft/shrinkage.
The same applies to the bar outlets onboard, active monitoring and reviewing of functions, etc assists in controlling stock losses.
Safety, compliance audits: A prime function of surveillance is the monitoring of safety and coupled with this is compliance audits. The IMO, ISPS and company based safety management systems are all focused on ships’ safety, including crew, guests, material and equipment. Surveillance is in the best position to record and report any breaches in safety or any threats to the ship, crew, guests, material or equipment. This is one of the primary functions of the surveillance operator, to constantly watch and monitor for any safety issues.
All in all, the need for CCTV Surveillance onboard cruise ships is a real need. The only limitations are budget and the senior management motivation to install such a system, bearing in mind that CCTV Surveillance is a loss prevention system and not revenue generating.
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