The UK P&I Club, GARD as well as North Of England P&I club have issued stowaways checklist to provide guidance and steps for preventing and dealing with stowaways.
According to the UK P&I club checklist, the following steps are recommended:
- Prior to and during a ship’s call at any port, it will be necessary to ensure all relevant sections of the ISPS Code are implemented particularly regarding the ship’s gangway and dock areas. All access points should be secured.
- Ensure there is always a member of the ship’s 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 ship’s gangway and their movements are constantly monitored whilst onboard.
- All visitors that are expected on the ship should be known to the ship’s 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 ship’s departure. (…read more) Source – Maritime Cyprus