At Drum Cussac we recognise that the demands of owners, managers, and charterers are very different than other sectors of the maritime world. It is with this in mind that the Company maintains a sub-unit within the Maritime Division, which deals exclusively with the specialist delivery of maritime security, to both the Superyacht and merchant fleets.



Our Maritime Security work is predominantly focused on the maintenance of crew and passenger safety in addition to protecting and maintaining overall ship integrity.  Our experts can advise vessels entering benign or non-permissive environments alike, these ranging from the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, Monaco as well as the UK’s waters.



Our services ensure that clients receive a dedicated account manager and where appropriate a familiar personality to assist when working onboard. We aim to provide discreet, non-intrusive and balanced services to safeguard all aspects of the voyage.



Our  Operational Security Team offer the following:

 Anti- Piracy Mitigation Measures – Gulf of Aden  

For the last 6 years Drum Cussac has been operating in waters associated with the risk of piracy, providing effective security solutions to our clients.  Drum Cussac is the market leader in maritime security solutions and has an excellent pedigree, history and competency. Drum Cussac offer a fully integrated solution to mitigate the risks using a layered approach to deliver the needs identified above.  From provision of risk based analysis,  route planning and risk assessments, linked to the provision of 24 x 7 operations monitoring and response our procedural measures ensure that prior to transit a vessel is prepared as it can be.  Deployment of fully equipped maritime protection teams and provision of non lethal Long Range Acoustic Device’s (LRAD) to support the security of the vessel ensure that the vessel is technically equipped for safe transit.  The  LRAD is a directional non-lethal device that is used to send warning messages and offer non-lethal protection to the vessel (it does have limitations, as discussed, offers the best current non-lethal protection on the market).    Drum Cussac ensures that the crew are vetted and trained offering further services in response to an incident, from deployment of specialists to provision of K & R responders* and medical support.

*(underwritten by a leading Lloyds of London Underwriting Syndicate)

Core Information

For protective services, we offer 3 levels of service.   The following is information that is based on the provision of that service, through to deployment of teams and then response to incident.

1.    Information Service only.  This includes an initial Destination Specific Intelligence Report [DSIR] on the Gulf of Aden, updated on a monthly basis, and Daily Piracy Alerts [DPA].  For any vessel transiting a high risk area clients can request a Vessel Specific Report [VSR] that gives a risk profile on an individual transit.  We have found that Underwriters and Insurers are sometimes prepared to drop the costs of any additional premium when sent a copy of the report as it proves you have considered the risk and are mitigating against it.

2.    Information Service, with Passage Mitigation Planning and Briefing Service.  This contains the above, but for each passage a vessel will be sent a risk plan to assist in its passage planning and advised measures to be taken.  A DC consultant, based in Salalah or Port Said, will physically go on board the vessel (where able) and brief the Master, Navigator and Crew, conducting a review of security measures on the vessel and undertaking training to assist in case of attack.  This can be supplemented by Full Passage Reporting (see additional information below).

3.    Close Protection Service.   Including all the above, tracking throughout the voyage and deployment of a fully equipped team to support the transit.  This will either be a 2, 3, 4 or 5 man team depending on the size of the vessel.

Detailed information

Information Services.   

Drum Cussac provide specialist maritime intelligence and information to review and assess areas of risk, dependent upon the profile of the company using the service.   Our services are offered over three levels geared to ensuring we can work with clients to reduce the risk profile of their transits.  (1)   Maritime Safety Reports.  An overview of the risk allowing owners, operators, charters, underwriters and shore support staff to understand the risk, keep up to date with developments and make informed decisions based on accurate, up to date information compiled by experts.  Information is short, to the point and draws conclusions rather than simply presenting raw facts.  These products offer the gold standard in due diligence and corporate governance in mitigating the piracy threat.  This includes an initial Destination Specific Intelligence Report [DSIR] on the Gulf of Aden, updated on a monthly basis, and Daily Piracy Alerts [DPA].  For any vessel transiting a high risk area you can request a Vessel Specific Report [VSR] that gives a risk profile on an individual transit.  We have found that Underwriters and Insurers are sometimes prepared to drop the costs of any additional premium when sent a copy of the report as it proves you have considered the risk and are mitigating against it.  (2)  Geo Spatial Intelligence Reports.  Comprehensive intelligence products designed to help the Master and Navigator understand the  nature and position of the threat; understanding what is normal activity for the area and an assessment of military activity in the region.  Intelligence that is practical and relevant designed to inform planning and change behaviour to mitigate the risk.  This is further supported by on-ship face to face briefings and training and practising of drills by the crew over a one day period.  (3)   Full Passage Reporting.  A nominated intelligence officer advises the Master with piracy considerations in their passage planning as well as a daily feed of events affecting security in the region.  However, the decisive benefit is the ship passage monitoring service; vessels benefitting from the ship passage monitoring service are tracked in the Drum Cussac Operations room and their position is assessed in real time relative to the current geospatial intelligence picture.  The intelligence officer, an experienced naval warfare officer, considers the ship position against the threat and the weather conditions and issues a daily situation report detailing the threat over the next 24 hours including times of significant events.  This service offers the highest level of oversight of valuable people and assets in a risk area providing evidential demonstration of duty of care.

Competent Authority. 

Drum Cussac run a 24x7 maritime operations room, which delivers Competent Authority services to vessels, based on response to Ships Security Alerts (SSAS), contingency and crisis planning through to incident response.  For those vessels transiting high risk areas we work with both commercial and private sectors.

Lethal/non Lethal use of force.  

We DO NOT advocate the use and deployment of lethal force in support of transits.  This is for 3 main reasons; (1) legal accountability (2) the likelihood of raising the degree of violence used by the aggressor (3) law within territorial waters.  We utilise non-lethal devices (such as LRAD’s as above) to deter armed piracy attacks on vessels.  We can deploy these for individual transits and also supply them for permanent use on vessels.  However we are working with our legal team to produce an advisory on this and if this is an option you are keen to adopt we are in a position to discuss it with you.

Equipment. 

Drum Cussac teams are deployed with full equipment packs, and can also advise on additional equipment levels to assist in deterring pirates boarding the vessels.

Incident Response.  

If an act of piracy is committed Drum Cussac will work with and advise on incident response, for a fully delivered service, from immediate notification and deployment planning through to recovery of crews, medical support and counselling and off shore assistance.

Kidnap and Ransom Support.  

Drum Cussac run specialised maritime K & R teams and are certified to deliver this service through underwriters and insurers.  This service can be offered through existing policies as well as through policies specifically put in place to cover individual transits, or annual cover.  I have attached some information on our own Special Maritime Contingency Cover.

For more information please contact: maritime@drum-cussac.com or call +44 (0) 1202 853111