Why are stowaways a problem?

Stowaways on board cause legal problems for authorities in ports of call, financial problems for shipowners and states, and human problems for crews who have stowaways on board. In the worst cases, stowaways have outnumbered crews or been refused permission to be landed in ports.

How should stowaways be treated?

Stowaways create problems for a crew, but they are not criminals and should have their basic human rights respected and receive fair treatment while on board.

If you find a stowaway, you should:

• Check their state of health

• Find out their identity and the reasons they are on board

• Arrange food and lodging

• Explain emergency procedures and issue them with a lifejacket and lifeboat place

• Inform the ship's owner or agent

• Expect the master to prepare a signed statement containing all information relating to the stowaway, to be given to the authority where the stowaway is delivered

• A stowaway should not be arrested or detained (although the master has the right to maintain discipline on board), and should not be forced to work.

2. Stowaways. Part II.

Actions to be taken prior to arrival in Port Ensure that all permanent deck lighting is fully operational. Always remember that a well-lit vessel will deter potential stowaways from attempting to find a safe hideaway on board. All areas which are not essential for the loading/discharge of cargo - such as storage lockers and holds not being worked - should be carefully secured prior to arrival in port. Actions to be taken when at Anchor

Ships at anchor are always vulnerable, so it is particularly important to make it as difficult as possible for anyone attempting to climb on board.

All means of access should be secured, including the hawser-pipe covers on the anchor chains. All gangways and accommodation ladders should be raised when not in use. A proper watch should be kept at all times - regular deck patrols should be made by crew members working in pairs.

Actions to be taken when in Port When a vessel is in port, it becomes a positive target for anyone who might consider it to be a convenient and free mode of transport. This is even more likely to be the case if the vessel's next port of call has become common knowledge. The risk becomes higher still if the vessel's next destination is a country known to be favoured by stowaways, such as Canada or the USA. It is essential that information concerning the vessel's future ports of call is restricted.

There should be positive restriction and control of the movement of shoreside personnel on board the vessel. It is important however, to keep a check on the number of gangs on board, and the number of stevedores in each gang. A careful check should be made at the beginning and end of each shift and the correct number of stevedores should be accounted for. An efficient gangway watch should be maintained at all times. Each and every individual arriving at the gangway should be questioned to verify his right to board the ship. Good communication should be maintained between all personnel on duty; if you always give the impression of an efficient and high profile regime, this will deter most opportunist stowaways and thieves.

Access to accommodation areas should always be restricted. Only essential accesses should remain open and unlocked and a regular check should be made of all accommodation areas. Anyone found in these areas, who is not associated with port operations, should be challenged and diplomatically asked to account for their presence. All areas, which are not essential for the loading/discharge of cargo, should be secured and locked and regular inspections made to check for tampering. Areas that cannot be adequately secured - such as lifeboats - should be kept to a minimum, thus reducing the possibility of attracting stowaways and simplifying the pre-departure search procedure. To save time prior to departure and to reduce the possibility of attracting stowaways, each hold can be swept and lashed as work is completed. The hold can then be thoroughly searched and all accesses secured and locked.

Anyone without a valid reason for being on board the vessel should be escorted ashore immediately and the relevant authorities informed.

Pre-sailing Action Immediately prior to a vessel's departure from port, it is important to conduct a thorough and extensive search using the manual's checklist.

The checklist recommends dividing the vessel into four zones, which should be systematically searched at the same time. After each area has been searched, this should be confirmed by radio, allowing the appointed officer to compile the checklist.

Upon completion of the checklist, an entry should be made in the deck logbook, recording the time, date and names of the individuals who have conducted the search. If, despite all your precautions, you find uninvited guests aboard your vessel, you should form a positive plan of action, following the owner/ operator's standing instructions.