Guidance in steps to take in preventing and dealing with stowaways
The UK P&I Club has issued stowaways checklist to provide guidance in steps for preventing and dealing with stowaways.
According to the checklist, the Club recommends the following steps:
- Prior to and during a ships call at any port, it will be necessary to ensure all relevant sections of the ISPS Code are implemented particularly regarding the ships gangway and dock areas. All access points should be secured.
- Ensure there is always a member of the ships crew manning the gangway who is closely monitoring all persons embarking and disembarking. Additional precautions such as CCTV should also be used where available.
- On ro-ro vessels the ramp should be monitored at all times and any access points on deck should be locked so that the vessel cannot be penetrated.
- Agents should obtain and provide the ship with a list from the stevedore company that clearly identifies the number of stevedores working on the ship. It is essential that stevedores only embark and disembark by the ships gangway and their movements are constantly monitored whilst onboard.
- All visitors that are expected on the ship should be known to the ships master, the crew member assigned to gangway watch duty and the agents, with their expected time of arrival and clear details of their intended business onboard. All visitors should be instructed to report to the crew member assigned to gangway watch duties in the first instance.
- Be vigilant for any persons who may be trying to board the ship by mooring ropes or small boats at the waters edge. This is particularly important when the ship is berthed at night.
- It is essential that the ship is searched prior to departure, including all dark and difficult to access areas. This should include areas that are thought to be locked/secured. Empty bays on container vessels and empty holds on bulk/general cargo vessels should be searched. In some circumstances it may be prudent to engage an external search company to assist with a search prior to the ships departure.
In case a stowaway is found onboard, The Club recommends briefly to take the following measures:
- Once the presence of a stowaway has been detected it is important to inform the owners and the port agents.
- It is the responsibility of the agent to advise the local authorities of the stowaways presence
- It can be very useful to search the area where the stowaway was found
- Ensure that the stowaways clothing has been searched
- The stowaway must be photographed and interviewed
- Once the above information has been obtained, it should be reported to the Club and/or the local correspondent
- While the stowaway remains onboard, he should be fed and allowed access to basic items such as bed and toilet
- It will be necessary for the stowaway to be kept secure at all times
Please click below to read the Checklist issued by the UK P&I Club
Source: UK P&I Club
