Introduction
Stowaways often cause considerable difficulties to the Master and owners, particularly in areas of Africa and South and Central America where the problem is widespread.
This chapter examines the following:
Procedures to prevent stowaways coming on board;
Procedures once stowaways have been discovered on board;
Treatment of stowaways while on board.
Procedures to prevent stowaways coming on board
The Master should ensure while the vessel is in port that a constant gangway watch is maintained. Prior to departure, a thorough search of the ship should be made. These procedures should be carefully followed especially in the areas of the world where the problem of stowaways is prevalent.
Procedures once stowaways have been discovered on board
If stowaways are discovered on board a vessel, the Master should immediately inform owners' agent at the next port of call and owners who generally will inform their P&I club in order to ensure swift repatriation. The stowaways should be searched for any documents. If they do not have any document on their person, a thorough search for any documents must be made on the vessel. These have been known to be found in areas close to where the stowaways were hidden.
A passport or some other form of identity card will greatly simplify the repatriation process. If no documents are found, it is possible that the stowaways will be on board for a lengthy period of time while negotiations take place between the P&I correspondent and the consul or embassy of the alleged country of the stowaways. If no documents are found, the stowaways should be questioned to discover their full name, date and place of birth, the name of both parents, and their home address. Any information discovered should be forwarded to owners.
Once in port, owners' agents or the P&I correspondent will arrange for a full and formal interview and for photographs to be taken of the stowaways. It is possible that stowaways will have to remain on board it there is insufficient time to arrange repatriation or if the local authorities refuse to become involved.
Treatment of stowaways while on board
Stowaways should be guarded as closely as possible while the vessel is at port to prevent them from jumping ship, If they do escape, owners may be liable to pay heavy fines. Moreover, if the stowaways are recaptured, owners also will be liable for all future expenses. In order to dissuade them from attempting to stowaway again, stowaways should be put to work as soon as possible and contact with the crew should be kept to a minimum. They should be provided with only enough food to remain healthy and a place to sleep.
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