NCJ Number
143545
Journal
Security Management Volume: 37 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1993) Pages: 38,40- 42,44-46
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A company known as Maritime Explorations was formed in Massachusetts in 1983 to search for a treasure ship that sunk nearly 300 years earlier, and appropriate security measures had to be implemented to prevent theft of the ship's cargo.
Abstract
When crew members of the company's research vessel located the treasure ship, they found artifacts and precious metals valued at between $1 and $2 million. The crew was accompanied by a security director with experience in security operations, law enforcement, and diving and maritime operations. This individual instituted a security standard operating procedure for the expedition. Crew members were trained in counterterrorist techniques and rifle marksmanship. Additional security measures included boat floodlights for surveillance and radio communication with the U.S. Coast Guard and the local police department. Despite security precautions, recovered assets remained vulnerable to many threats at night. Therefore, the decision was made to limit the amount of collected valuables stored on the boat overnight before transferring them to the company's land security operation. During the actual physical transfer of items from the boat to vehicles, police officers controlled the crowds and selected crew members observed the entire operation from a high vantage point on the boat. Security precautions were also implemented during the subsequent movement and processing of valuables, including passive infrared and ultrasonic sensors in the laboratory where treating, processing, and preserving were done. In addition, area lighting was placed outside the laboratory.