Skuld advises that port calls in Africa come with the risk of stowaways
The Skuld P&I Club advises that the General Manager of Dakar Port, Senegal, has issued a circular stating that the disembarkation of stowaways is no longer authorised at Dakar Port.
The Club recommends the following:
If a vessel is due to call at a port where there are stowaway risks then:
a. advance planning should be undertaken for managing this risk, including crew briefing
b. vessel’s ISPS plan should be reviewed with specific focus on protecting the vessel against unauthorised access
c. extra security should be placed on gangways
d. stowaways need to be carefully counted on and off
e. as appropriate, local security may need to be contracted to assist the crew
f. regular security sweeps of the vessel should be conducted
g. a careful pre-departure check should be undertaken
Careful checks on the vessel can help to mitigate this risk (Image Credit:Skuld P&I Club )
Should stowaways gain access to the vessel then:
a. if still in port, inform local correspondents and agents straight away
b. contact the Club
c. collect any identification documents that may be on the stowaways
d. check each stowaway for any drugs or weapons they have on board
e. place the stowaways in a secure area, which can be locked and controlled
f. provide stowaways with food and water
g. if any stowaways shows signs of being ill or injured, advise Club and correspondents immediately
h. sick persons may need to be isolated individually
Source: The Skuld P&I Club
