● Trade patterns which have been the subject of past problems.


● Previously unknown shippers; company searches may be appropriate.


● New trading areas.


● Requests for empty containers to be delivered to insecure areas.


● Loaded containers collected from insecure areas.


● Open top containers, which should be inspected prior to acceptance.


● Lightweight shipments.


● Shipments in reefer containers set at relatively high temperatures.


Terminal (prior to loading)


● In appropriate areas co-operation should be sought from local immigration authorities; their experience may be an essential asset.


● Carriers should emphasise to terminal operators the need for dialogue and co-operation in combating the ease with which stowaways are able to access containers due for shipment.


● Any containers presented for loading with no seals, faulty or tampered seals, should be opened and checked before being resealed.


● All reefer containers with settings above, say, 10 deg C should be opened and checked for stowaways.


● All open top containers should be inspected.


● Particular attention should be given to any containers with signs of recent repair, repainting etc.


● Particular attention should be paid to containers that arrive in the terminal late, after the cut-off period and shortly before vessel loading commences. This tactic might be used to reduce the opportunity for detection and would also reduce stowaways’ length of confinement.


● Consider the deployment of CO2 detectors, heat


detectors, sniffer dogs and/or heartbeat detectors. Methods of detection will vary from terminal to terminal. Agreements should be sought with each operator.


● Pay particular attention to any containers received from outside locations and especially from insecure or uncontrolled areas.


● Containers for which obvious weight discrepancies exist should be identified and if necessary, searched.


22


After loading


● On container ships, searches of empty spaces and deck vigilance prior to departure is necessary as with all other types of vessels. When appropriate, consider building time into the vessel’s schedule to enable this to take place.


● Whenever possible it may be prudent to have men in the hatch when hatchcovers are replaced as stowaways have been known to conceal themselves in the hatchcover structure when stowed ashore.


● Routine crew security and safety tours of the vessel should be undertaken and noted regularly in the vessel deck log.


Steps to be taken after a stowaway has been detected


All trades


● Many stowaways give themselves up once the vessel is at sea, often by making a loud noise. For a vessel discovering stowaways, the priority is for them to be disembarked at the next port of call. The master should therefore immediately inform the owners and the Club or Club‘s correspondent so that international formalities can be completed as soon as possible.


A master should, if possible, immediately:


● Search the area where the stowaway was found for concealed documents etc.


● Search the stowaway’s clothing.


● Interview the stowaway and immediately advise the Member and the agents at the next port of call of the following:


– Port of embarkation – Details of documents held – Name – Date and place of birth – Address – Nationality.


● Photographs should be taken of the stowaway in order to speed the acquisition of travel documents. If digital photography is available it may be possible to e-mail transfer the images to the agent or the Club’s correspondent at the ship’s next port of call, thereby saving time with the necessary formalities.


● The stowaway should be kept secure at all times, particularly when the ship is in port.


● While the stowaway is onboard, the master should


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