Ports authority staff in the Cook Islands have taken part in a training programme to identify and protect against international marine terrorism.
The programme, which was facilitated by Maritime New Zealand, US Customs and Port Marlborough, is part of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code which aims to enhance marine security globally.
Natasha Hallett of Maritime New Zealand said staff were taught how to recognise and deal with potential terrorist threats.
"So simply put, it's stopping bad things or bad people getting on board international shipping," Ms Hallett said.
"So it's around stopping people from getting things through the port and onto a vessel. Or in the case of the port, damaging the port infrastructure which would then stop international trade."
Maritime New Zealand will continue to support the Cook Islands in developing its marine security capability, she said.
We’ve been working in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and Port Marlborough to build port security capability in the #CookIslands. Maritime NZ provides support to the Cook Islands Ministry of Transport in their governance role, which includes risk assessments. pic.twitter.com/yK3r1XVzd5
— Maritime New Zealand (Nō te rere moana Aotearoa) (@MaritimeNZ) April 29, 2019
