Command at Sea International (CASI) isn’t just another security firm expanding its operations to the megayacht market. Its staff, already working with high-net-worth individuals, emphasizes risk mitigation in what it terms a “keel to mast” approach.
To say that Brian Peterman, CEO of CASI and a retired vice admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard, knows about security, piracy, and related issues is an understatement. Peterman spent nearly four decades in the Coast Guard, plus previously served on the National Security Council staff and as the Special Assistant to the President for Borders and Transportation Security. He and his staff were asked by a client with a yacht to provide security assistance, as the owner fired the prior firm. Peterman and his team decided to visited marinas in many different regions to learn more, in anticipation of addressing other owners’ and crew’s concerns. What they saw, Peterman says, is “some $25 Panasonic keypads” that were anything but deterrents. As far as some yachts were concerned, the crew knew when to call the authorities for additional help, but they didn’t stop to think that when they’re on the ocean, “help may be five to 10 miles away,” Peterman adds.
CASI’s approach involves assessing everyone and everything related to the yacht. This includes the crew, the owner, the management company, and anyone else in the owner’s team. CASI then develops a risk-mitigation strategy. It does so on a sliding scale, so that the owner can match it to the threat level matching the current needs. CASI’s risk mitigation additionally extends to advanced port assessments, to evaluate how secure a particular marina and/or general area is. Furthermore, Peterman says, the team will check out the local hospitals and medevac operations in an area megayacht clients might visit, if so desired.
Of course, CASI also provides technology-based security system recommendations. These include customary items like video surveillance, but also electronic security sweeps. CASI will also monitor possible electronic espionage, such as communications and navigation interceptions.
Because CASI wishes to balance its capacity to serve its clients, “We’re looking to be very selective as to who we work with,” Peterman says. Ultimately, he adds, CASI would prefer to work simultaneously with the owners and crew of two to three new megayachts and three to four megayachts in refit. Peterman says that CASI would also like to speak with naval architects and perhaps shipyards about what he calls “unobtrusive security.” “You start from day one, because otherwise it is obtrusive,” he says, “ a band-aid approach.”
For more information about CASI, visit its website or fill out our contact form.
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