UK P&I Club news alert
The UK P&I Club has been informed by its South African Correspondent in Durban that there have been changes in the way authorities’ deal with stowaways.
If the person boarding the vessel, including stevedores, agents, ship chandlers, cleaners, immigration, ship repairers and contractors, does not have a Transnet permit then the person should be asked to leave the vessel and if necessary, taken to the bottom of the gangway and port security notified. The port, as the landlord, will have the person detained and charged as a trespasser on their property.
If the illegal person is declared to be a stowaway by Immigration then the vessel will be liable for all the costs and consequences of repatriating that person.
The UK P&I Club advises operators to ensure that vessels calling at Durban maintain a proper and effective security watch and to ensure individuals without a proper Transnet permit are not permitted access to the vessel.
Source:UK P&I Club