How to tackle the stowaway challenge

The reasons for stowing away are many and complex. Some migrate because of the risk of human rights violations, others because they want to work, study, or join family members, or because of poverty or political unrest.

In a world of geopolitical disturbances, regional unrest and impact of climate change, people are likely to continue to migrate, by land and by sea, through whichever means available. Is a zero-policy strategy for stowaways possible in a world where migration is only expected to increase?

Stowaways are regularly found onboard ships and shipowners together with Gard and other stakeholders and service providers have gained extensive experience in resolving stowaway situations.

Why are stowaways a problem? While efforts are being made to disembark the stowaways, crew members will have to guard and take care of them. The extra workload impacts their day-to-day work, possibly also rest hours.

Worst case, the situation can become a security risk, for example if stowaways are disruptive or if lifeboat capacity is exceeded. Repatriations can be costly and delay the vessel.

The significant risk of injuries and loss of lives that the stowaways are exposed to while in hiding and during the voyage should also not be forgotten.

Unnoticed by the master, crews, port and customs authorities, stowaways can gain access to ships with or without the assistance of port personnel. This is illustrated by the famous Swiss Cheese model: How many ‘holes or barriers’ can the stowaway pass before being stopped? The answer depends on the quality of the risk management.

Different ship types and sizes need different security procedures and some trading areas may need additional measures. Although international regulations and guidance outline security measures, an assessment should be made for each voyage to ensure it is relevant, practical and realistic.

High Risk Ports

It may be difficult to accurately predict high-risk ports, yet there are certain geographical areas which historically have been, and still are, considered high risk. Among these are ports in southern and west Africa.

Security at ports can range from exceptional to virtually non-existent. The risks may be higher where the ISPS Code has not been properly implemented. Ships’ agents can provide advice in advance of a ship’s call. But shipowners and masters may have little or no influence on port security and instead must focus on preventing stowaways from gaining access to the ship.

Therefore, it is vital to communicate to the agents that the ship will not sail with stowaways onboard and that all necessary safety measures available at the port should be implemented.

Various measures relating to ship security and watchkeeping can be implemented depending on the potential risk of stowaways in a particular port.

First and foremost, proper access control relies on crew members being properly briefed about the ship’s trading patterns and stowaway risk and the relevant security measures to be implemented.

To best guard against unauthorised boardings, all crew members, especially those with specific security duties and responsibilities, must understand the threats facing them in a particular port. Onboard instructions must clearly specify when to control access to the ship and how to do it.

The strategy is to ensure that no unauthorized personnel are able to gain access to the ship and that all those who have been authorised to board disembark before sailing.

Stowaway Alarm

If stowaways have gained access, they must be dealt with consistently with humanitarian principles. Due consideration must always be given to the operational safety of the ship and to the safety and well-being of the stowaways.

Any stowaways found should be placed in secure quarters, guarded if possible and be provided with adequate food and water. They, as well as the place they were found, should be searched for any identification papers.

Where there is more than one stowaway, they should preferably be detained separately. The master and crew should act firmly, but humanely and if needed, the stowaways should be provided with medical assistance. Stowaways should never be put to work.

It is important to collect as much information as possible on how stowaways have boarded the ship, as well as the ship’s efforts to prevent stowaways boarding and to locate any stowaways prior to leaving port. This includes details of access restrictions, watch arrangements, locked areas and the like.

It is key that all involved parties collaborate to resolve stowaway cases, meaning an early repatriation of stowaways.

The ship must investigate and share relevant information with immigration authorities and countries must allow the return of stowaways with citizenship status or residential rights.

Where the nationality, citizenship or right of residency cannot be established, the country of the original port of embarkation of a stowaway should accept their return, pending final case disposition. P&I insurers and correspondents support and facilitate the process along the way.

Beating The Odds

There is no doubt that the stowaway challenge will remain and most likely grow. It will be tough to beat the odds of avoiding stowaways on board in regions where people are driven to migrate.

A goal of zero-policy for stowaways will not resolve the problem, but setting and committing to a clear goal enhances focus and awareness of the people involved and can help identify and understand the challenges that need to be tackled to enhance chances of success in the next ports of call.

The stowaway problem is complex and involves a long list of stakeholders that individually and collectively need to work together to beat the odds.

Gard has recently published an updated comprehensive guide on stowaways outlining the problem, the applicable regulations, assessing the risk of stowaways, prevention at port and humane handling of stowaways found on board. While we hope for successful prevention, our P&I claims handlers are there to assist shipowners to resolve the situation, no matter how much time it may take.