Port of Dakar Authorities have reminded vessels of the security measures concerning watchmen and access, that must be followed when vessels are in port, with respect to illegal emigration, Steamship Mutual P&I Club informed citing information provided by Club Correspondents Budd.
The following security measures should apply at all times:
1. For vessels at berth: Four watchmen should be deployed as follows:
- Two at the gangway of the vessel;
- One at the bow of the vessel;
- One at the stern of the vessel.
2. For access to vessels:
- All personnel boarding and disembarking from vessels must be identified and counted;
- This information should be logged.
“Any failure to meet the above requirements will be sanctioned, in accordance with current legislation,” the port warned.
The information by Budd Dakar adds that in recent years, permission to disembark stowaways who boarded in Senegal has usually been granted and this is still the case. However, it is now even more important that the vessel be able to demonstrate that the security regulations were strictly applied.
Vessels which have not fully complied with the security measures, and then found stowaways from Senegal onboard, are likely to face longer delays and heavier sanctions, including large fines, from the authorities than vessels which met the security regulations but nevertheless need to disembark stowaways from Senegal. It is expected that fines will be smaller in the latter case.
Recommendations
Budd advises vessels calling in Dakar to ensure that they receive the latest updates from their agents before berthing. It should also be noted that to obtain clearance to sail from the Harbour Master, vessels need to present a stowaway search certificate.
