For maritime security personnel, there’s nothing light about being on the job. With a multitude of different threats presenting themselves at the oddest of times, there’s a high necessity to stay prepared at all times.
Article by Chris Taylor, Safeguard Armour
The implementation of body armor into a maritime security personnel’s workplace is becoming more and more essential. Selecting body armor, however, does come with its difficulties. With so much to choose from in terms of both brands and levels, knowing what the ideal body armor is based on one’s threats can be difficult. The importance of carrying out a risk assessment is therefore, something that maritime personnel need to be aware of. In order to ensure that the maximum level of protection is afforded, the most likely threats need to be determined.
Additionally, factors such as environment, sex, comfort and how many hours per day a maritime security officer needs to wear body armor should also be looked at. The most protection will be afforded from a vest that is:
- The right level
- The right size
- The right fit
- Comfortable
The way body armor fits
Threats come from all angles and thus, body armor needs to offer protection to the side, back and front. This is one of the primary reasons why fit plays a huge role in how effective body armor is at protecting maritime personnel from perpetrators. The armor needs to protect the body’s vital organs whilst allowing flexibility. Through this, correct fitting gear will stop slightly above the belly button. Body armor also need not be too loose fitting or fit too tightly. In order to determine the perfect size, maritime personnel need to ensure that proper measurements are taken.
Ballistic Protection
One of the most confusing things when it comes to selecting body armor is what level to decide on. The popular belief is that the higher the level, the more protection is offered. Though this is true in terms of higher rounds of ammunition, it varies with each situation. The most effective vest is therefore not based on how high the level it is but how suited to the threat it is.
Because the higher the vest, the heavier the vest, maritime personnel need to consider the fact that comfort and also flexibility may be jeopardized if they simply opt for the highest level (Level IV) without doing the proper research. For everyday purposes, maritime personnel should opt for a vest that combines both comfort and protection.
The best vest for maritime personnel
The level II covert vest is the most popular in this field and also the most effective. It offers protection against 9mm FMJ rounds traveling as fast as 1175 feet per second, .357 JSP rounds traveling at 1400 feet per second and also ammunition covered by the lower NIJ levels (.40 S&W Full Metal Jacket Rounds).
Why covert body armor?
Concealability is one of the key features of the covert vest as is comfort. Though the necessity to conceal body armor isn’t generally high for maritime personnel, this feature also promotes the comfort aspect of the covert body armor. This vest can typically be worn directly against the skin due to the fact that it incorporates cotton to reduce irritation of the skin. Additionally, the fact that covert body armor is lightweight means that it can be worn for hours throughout the day without becoming uncomfortable.
Another great implementation in covert body armor is the Coolmax feature. This is great for maritime personnel working in both warm and cold climates. Its wicking away technique means that the wearer is kept warm in cooler temperatures and cool in warmer temperatures as a result of perspiration being transferred to a larger surface area for speedy evaporation.
Is a level II vest always best?
The only answer to this question is no. Maritime personnel who may face higher threats need to consider the necessity of a higher level and in some cases, may need to go as high as a level IV. If the situation is one where higher rounds of ammunition such as the .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point is a threat, then level III covert gear should be considered. Though slightly heavier, it’s still very comfortable to wear and will, in the case of such high rounds, prove to be the best option.
Waterproof
This is one feature that should not be overlooked by maritime security. The fact that the job is one that involves being around water, the likelihood that the vest may come into contact with water is very high. If not waterproof, the vest can become damaged and thus, ineffective.
