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Message from the President
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During Hurricane Harvey, in addition to standing our posts, Meridian increased our optempo by providing Direct Asset Response Team (DART) services for several families in the Houston areas.
In time of need, our country is one family. I am very proud of our employees and volunteers, who went the extra mile to promote the safety and security of our community. Bravo Zulu!
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27 June – Jason Wilbur, Vice President, Corporate & Regulatory Security (pictured right) passed the Texas Public Security Bureau Manager Examination. Texas law requires any person or company who provides investigations or security services in the state to be properly licensed to offer or to engage in such services.
Multi-Skilled Operators
Meridian protects Client assets both in the US and abroad utilizing their Multi-Skilled Operators. These professionals are trained in active shooter response, emergency medical care, confined space/high angle rescue, K9 & narcotic detection, incident response, and much more. Meridian’s Multi-Skilled operators completed their required training to remain current with their medical certifications and will continue to attend follow-on training to enhance their skills.
To learn more about our International/Domestic Fixed Site Security services, please contact Brandon Miller at (209) 495-3939 or
[email protected]
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Vessel Security Assessment
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14 July – Meridian conducted a Vessel Security Assessment (VSA) for a tank ship at the Port of Pascagoula, MS. For vessels that are subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act, 33 CFR 104, Subpart C requires a VSA to be conducted. This involves review of background information and analysis of on-scene survey.
To learn more about our Regulatory Security services, please contact Zac Schlarb at (484) 772-0384 or
[email protected]
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ISO 9001:2015 External Management Assessment
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4 Aug - Meridian assessed a client’s quality management system for conducting audits and surveys on towing vessels as a Third-Party Organization. Title 46 Codes of Federal Regulations 139.120 (d) requires an applicant to provide objective evidence of an internal quality system based on ANSI/ISO/ASQ Q9001-2000 or an equivalent quality standard.
To learn more about our ISO 9001:2015 services, please contact Captain Hung Nguyen at (808) 282-4981 or
[email protected]
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Direct Asset Response Team (DART)
29 August
- Meridian DART was deployed to Cypress, TX to assist with evacuation. Utilizing swift water rescue craft, the Team evacuated families to the relief shelters and secured Client assets in the area to ensure they were safe from looters and mitigating numerous risks. Meridian also provided medical care, clean clothes, food, and water to several shelters.
To learn more about our DART services, please contact Brandon Miller at (209) 495-3939 or
[email protected]
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Threat Assessment & Intelligence Briefings
Meridian’s 24-hour intelligence center completed several intelligence briefings for Clients attending events and traveling abroad. Meridian’s intelligence briefs include a breakdown of the area populous, crime stats, terrorist activity, known trouble areas, local laws, major transit routes, traffic reports, and more. Also, Meridian’s intelligence center offers 24-hour intelligence reporting, with dedicated intelligence analysts.
To learn more about our Threat Assessment and Intelligence Briefing services, please contact Brandon Miller at (209) 495-3939 or
[email protected]
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Since January 2017 there have been over 50 reported piracy incidents that have taken place in the Indian Ocean. With the uptick, Anti-Piracy security should be on the mind of all Company Security Officers.
Whether it be for a full on armed security team or a 3rd party Anti-Piracy Security Assessment to ensure Best Management Practices Version 4 (BMP4) are being applied, Meridian can deploy a variety of multi-skilled security operators throughout the world to support your ongoing shipping operations.
Over the last three months, Meridian’s Maritime Security Division has secured or is currently securing 7 different transits in the High-Risk Areas (HRAs) of the Indian Ocean, from Egypt to Singapore and South Africa to Kuwait without any incidents. These 7 transits have a combined total of over 200 days at sea and 35 ports of call. Meridian also has another 4 transits on the schedule for the month of October.
Outside of the HRAs, Meridian also supported Oil and Gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). For last quarter, Meridian’s GOM security operations have totaled 117 days at sea and have conducted over 400 bag searches and roughly 3,619 helicopter and basket crew transfers totaling 35,840 personnel transferred.
Meridian will be attending the NDTA – USTRANSCOM 2017 Fall Meeting in St. Louis, MO on October 10 – 13. We welcome you to come visit us at booth #125.
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New Products and Services
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New ICS 220 - Emergency Response Team Training (with Tabletop Exercise) Course
The vast majority of incidents are small, and effective initial response by the facility personnel can mitigate or reduce consequences. Meridian ICS 220 course provides participants with a refresher on the Incident Command System and enables the facility operator to satisfy regulatory requirements for drills and exercises, including Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
To learn more about our ICS-220 Training, please contact Zac Schlarb at (484) 772-0384 or
[email protected]
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New Meridian Incident Management Handbook (MIMH)
Using information from government and industry best practices, Meridian.us has developed a comprehensive and easy-to-use reference for supporting training, exercise, and response.
To learn more about our IMH, please contact Zac Schlarb at (484) 772-0384 or
[email protected]
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16 June
– At the 98th session of the Maritime Safety Committee, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved Resolution MSC.428(98) Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety Management Systems. The resolution affirms that approved safety management systems should take cyber risk management into account in accordance with the objectives and requirements of the International Safety Management Code. IMO member states are encouraged to ensure cyber risks are appropriately addressed in safety management systems no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021.
29 June – National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued Interim Final Rule on its Investigation Procedures: Marine Investigations. The regulations will go into effect on 31 July 2017.
7 July – U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) extended deadline, until 11 September, the period within which to submit comments on Coast Guard regulations, guidance documents, and interpretative documents that you believe should be repealed, replaced, or modified.
13 Sep – USCG issued a notice establishing the Government Initiated Unannounced Exercise program requirements for 2018.
21 Sep
- USCG published a final rule adding the Polar Ship Certificate to a list of certificates that certain US and foreign-flag ships will need to carry on board if they engage in international voyages in polar waters. The rule enters into effect on 23 October 2017.
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Cruise Ship Safety
In 2016, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted 294 cruise ship examinations. The top five deficiency areas are:
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Fire screen doors not operating properly
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Impeding means of escape
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Low location lighting
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Fire suppression systems
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Piping insulation
Ballast Water Management Violations
16 August - The Coast Guard issued a $5,000 fine to the owners of a foreign freight vessel ANSAC Moon Bear for unauthorized ballast water discharge into the Willamette River in Portland. The purpose of the U.S. ballast water management regulations is to implement the provisions of the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. Violations of the U.S. ballast water regulations can result in costly delays to vessels and civil enforcement action against the vessel’s master, owners, or operators
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CONTACT US
Jonathan McConnell, Esq.
President/CEO
Captain Hung Nguyen
Chief Operating Officer
Jason Wilbur
Vice President, Corporate & Regulatory Security
Joshua Simonson
Manager, Maritime Security
Brandon Miller
Manager, Corporate Security
Zac Schlarb
Manager, Regulatory Security
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