Perhaps because security matters appear to have focused on piracy in recent years, the perennial problem of stowaways has seemed somewhat muted. But nothing could be further from the truth, with the International Group of P&I clubs revealing that during the 12 month period from February 2011 to February 2012, the total cost of these uninvited guests to group members was USD 15.3 million, which included the fines imposed by states on ship owners.

The shipping industry finds itself in the midst of a global problem of the vast inequalities between rich and poor countries, with the desperate from the latter trying to gain access, by whatever means they can, to the latter. It is a problem that is clearly not going to go away in a hurry and could become infinitely worse.

“Stowaways are no longer the domestic problem of some underdeveloped nation or continent”, suggests Steven Jones in the Nautical Institute’s latest Marine Security handbook Stowaways by Sea. And in his foreword to this useful small volume, BIMCO Chief Maritime Security Officer, Giles Noakes, points out that the resolution of a stowaway case “can include a considerable burden in terms of discomfort and sometimes even threat to the crew, administrative hassle, and the risk of fines or sanctions from port authorities”. The average cost to the owner per stowaway is around USD 8,000, but individual costs can be much, much higher.

This useful book points out that while the “top 10” ports for stowaway embarkation are all in the continent of Africa, they can be encountered virtually anywhere, with desperate people frequently travelling to other ports. The book is divided into logical sections; the problem itself and its extent, how it can be dealt with and the risk assessed, basic lessons of security, the management of stowaways when they have been discovered, how to deal with the rather different but no less serious problem of migrants and rescue at sea and the important issue of reporting.

The book draws on the author’s considerable experience in the security sector, but also on much of the practical lessons learned from incidents in which NI members and others have been involved. It provides useful guidance on the different types of stowaways, who may be economic or political refugees, asylum seekers, criminals or people whose escape may be facilitated by people smugglers or human traffickers. It offers clear guidance on the responsibilities of owners and shipmasters, P&I clubs, ports of call and states of embarkation, along with the flag state of the vessel.

It has useful assistance on the assessment of risk, noting that those ports and terminals where the ISPS Code is not being implemented fully are those places where risk may be considered high. It also points out the importance of training in prevention, hardening the ship’s defences and searching effectively prior to departure.

Above all, this is a small book packed with practical advice, showing how this problem can be mitigated and how both owners and ships’ crews can make a difference, stay safe and ensure that any stowaways encountered are expeditiously removed.
Source: BIMCO