Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Friday, May 27, 2022
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    day of the seafarer 2022

    IMO: Seafaring is a noble profession

    port of brisbane

    ATSB investigates breakaway incidents in Port of Brisbane

    marking labels symbols

    Lessons learned: Pay close attention to labels, markings and symbols

    barge loses containers

    Watch: Container barge loses 12 containers overboard

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    ship it zero coalition

    Ship it Zero coalition: Shipping companies should invest in zero-emissions technologies and fuels

    oil spill port elizabeth

    Oil spill occurs during oil transfer at Port Elizabeth

    port of tallinn port of gdynia

    Port of Tallinn, Port of Gdynia to collaborate on hydrogen management

    canada ballast form

    How to properly submit the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting form

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    cyber attack port of london

    Cyber-attack targets Port of London Authority

    emsa drones

    EMSA drones monitor sulphur and nitrogen emissions from ships in the English Channel

    Port of Antwerp

    New agreement to advance vessel automation pilot programs in Belgium

    port of long beach

    Port of Long Beach, Amazon collaborate to improve cargo data

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    captain arrested

    Captain of cargo vessel arrested for drink-driving

    glencore

    Glencore pleas guilty to foreign bribery and market manipulation

    ship owner guilty environmental crime

    US: Ship owner and operator plead guilty to environmental and safety crimes

    us seizes oil from tanker

    US seizes oil from Russian tanker

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    day of the seafarer 2022

    IMO: Seafaring is a noble profession

    north standard merger

    Merger of North and Standard Club receives approval

    uscg ystems Containing Plastic Pipe

    USCG: Review of systems containing plastic pipe

    russian ships eu ports

    Ban of Russian ships in EU ports: Everything you need to know

  • Columns
    Wind Propulsion: Building a level playing field for the decarbonization of shipping

    Wind Propulsion: Building a level playing field for the decarbonization of shipping

    worker dies at chittagong

    EU Taxonomy & Ship Recycling

    Fleet Safety to modernise maritime distress communication

    Fleet Safety to modernise maritime distress communication

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    day of the seafarer 2022

    IMO: Seafaring is a noble profession

    port of brisbane

    ATSB investigates breakaway incidents in Port of Brisbane

    marking labels symbols

    Lessons learned: Pay close attention to labels, markings and symbols

    barge loses containers

    Watch: Container barge loses 12 containers overboard

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    ship it zero coalition

    Ship it Zero coalition: Shipping companies should invest in zero-emissions technologies and fuels

    oil spill port elizabeth

    Oil spill occurs during oil transfer at Port Elizabeth

    port of tallinn port of gdynia

    Port of Tallinn, Port of Gdynia to collaborate on hydrogen management

    canada ballast form

    How to properly submit the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting form

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    cyber attack port of london

    Cyber-attack targets Port of London Authority

    emsa drones

    EMSA drones monitor sulphur and nitrogen emissions from ships in the English Channel

    Port of Antwerp

    New agreement to advance vessel automation pilot programs in Belgium

    port of long beach

    Port of Long Beach, Amazon collaborate to improve cargo data

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    captain arrested

    Captain of cargo vessel arrested for drink-driving

    glencore

    Glencore pleas guilty to foreign bribery and market manipulation

    ship owner guilty environmental crime

    US: Ship owner and operator plead guilty to environmental and safety crimes

    us seizes oil from tanker

    US seizes oil from Russian tanker

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    day of the seafarer 2022

    IMO: Seafaring is a noble profession

    north standard merger

    Merger of North and Standard Club receives approval

    uscg ystems Containing Plastic Pipe

    USCG: Review of systems containing plastic pipe

    russian ships eu ports

    Ban of Russian ships in EU ports: Everything you need to know

  • Columns
    Wind Propulsion: Building a level playing field for the decarbonization of shipping

    Wind Propulsion: Building a level playing field for the decarbonization of shipping

    worker dies at chittagong

    EU Taxonomy & Ship Recycling

    Fleet Safety to modernise maritime distress communication

    Fleet Safety to modernise maritime distress communication

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Increase of drug smuggling cases on ships in the US

by The Editorial Team
July 16, 2021
in Security
fal committee
FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

An increase has been observed in the number of cases of illegal drugs being found onboard ships in the US, according to data provided by local correspondents to Britannia P&I Club.

In the past the drugs were often smuggled onboard from ports in Colombia but, in order to try and avoid the scrutiny of US authorities, smugglers have recently sought to do so in other Central and South American countries, the Club said. In one recent case, the drugs were taken onboard via small boats in open waters off Chile and Peru and other cases show drugs being smuggled from Ecuador, Guatemala and the Caribbean.

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

The US authorities have increased the measures to detect drugs, with extra ships and specialist teams deployed. In the same context, local correspondents recommend that when ships are visiting ports in Colombia or Mexico, or other Central or South American ports, additional security precautions be employed, such as maintaining guards at the berth and on deck, added watch (especially while in port and just after sailing), regular shipboard inspections while in port, records made in the log books, etc.

If possible, in Colombian ports, operators should avoid bunkering, ship’s chandler services, and taking on provisions. If prior to arrival in the US, the Master suspects that drug smuggling may be taking place onboard, he/she should immediately contact the Club correspondent at the destination port for instructions.

RelatedNews

Survey vessel reports skiff approach at Red Sea

Pirates attack OSV in Gulf of Mexico

If drugs are found onboard in the US, the Master should immediately contact the Club and the Club correspondent at that port. It is also very important that the Master and crew show a high degree of co-operation with the US authorities,

…Britannia Club advised.

 

Precautions

According to Jacob Damgaard, Associate Director – Loss Prevention, Britannia P&I, some of the simple precautions that can be taken to prevent the smuggling of drugs onto ships include:

  • If operating to a known area of smuggling activity, or if there are any concerns of such activity, then the ship should make contact with the local correspondent, agent or authorities at an early stage and before arriving at the port or anchorage to obtain up-to-date advice on the potential risk of smuggling. This will enable an assessment of the likely security risks to be conducted and reviewed in conjunction with the Ship Security Plan (SSP) to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are implemented in accordance with the perceived risks and the designated Security Level for the port area. For example, for certain port areas where a specific risk has been identified, arrangements can be made to conduct enhanced shore-assisted pre-departure inspections using sniffer dogs and/or divers.
  • Prior to departure from port, and as a final precaution, a thorough and systematic search should be carried out for any trespassers.
  • Ensuring that an appropriate identification system for all visitors to the ship is in place and robustly and tightly controlled. The identity of all persons seeking to board the ship and their reasons for doing so should be confirmed by checking photographic IDs, work orders etc. Those unwilling or unable to establish their identity and/or to confirm the purpose of their visit when requested to do so should be denied access to the ship. Any such attempt to gain access should be reported, as appropriate, to the Ship Security Officer (SSO), the Company Security Officer (CSO), the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO), as well as the applicable shoreside authorities, with the local agent well placed to assist and advise on the latter.
  • Maintaining a log of all personnel visiting the ship including stevedores, and a record of their activities.
  • All persons seeking to board a ship should be liable to random search. Such searches should ideally be undertaken by the port facility in close co-operation with the ship and in close proximity to it. Any such search shall be undertaken in a manner which fully takes into account the human rights of the individual and preserves their basic human dignity.
  • Identifying and monitoring all access points that should be secured or attended to prevent unauthorised access. CCTV, if installed, can be used as a further means of monitoring and recording activity in way of access points.
  • Maintaining vigilance while in port or at anchor, including conducting frequent security patrols. This should include monitoring both the adjacent land and sea areas, the latter in particular for any boats operating near the ship; the SSO should be alerted of any such suspicious activity.
  • Observing when a cargo hold is being topped up, for example, to ensure that no packages are placed on top of the cargo as the hatch covers are about to be closed. Container seals or other methods used to prevent tampering can also be checked, with particular attention given to any containers that are empty or with open-top/sides, as these represent easily accessible areas to plant packages.
  • Keeping areas, such as accommodation and deck stores, locked in port.
  • Maintaining illumination of deck areas and access points during the hours of darkness and periods of low visibility while conducting ship/port interface activities or at a port facility or anchorage, including where possible, illuminating the ship’s side.
  • Cargo destined to be loaded onboard, including vehicles, should be searched to the extent possible, the latter ideally in liaison with the port facility. The use of sniffer dogs, if available, might be considered as a useful means of enhancing such searches.
  • Consider the installation of metal gratings above any accessible openings to the rudder spaces, as well as conducting a thorough search of any such areas prior to departure.

 

Tags: best practicesBritannia Clubdrugssafety measuressecurity measuressmUS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

day of the seafarer 2022

IMO: Seafaring is a noble profession

May 27, 2022
north standard merger

Merger of North and Standard Club receives approval

May 27, 2022
MARITIME EVENTS

Newsletter

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

Explore

  • Safety
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • Events
  • Plus

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Contact

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Alerts
    • Accidents
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Opinions
    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Disclaimer.