The Japan P&I Club have obtained the following information from our local correspondents, P&I Associations (Pty) Ltd, in relation to the Stowaway Prevention at Durban.

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July 2018

STOWAWAY PREVENTION – DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

With regards to stowaways at Durban, the current local laws pertaining to illegal foreigners boarding vessels has become very harsh, if an illegal person gains access to the vessel Immigration Authorities will automatically deem the illegal to be a stowaway unless the Owners of the vessel can provide fool proof evidence to show that the person actually boarded the vessel in a South African Port. Our Immigration Authorities are now declaring unwanted guests that are found on board a vessel, while the vessel is still in Port, as stowaways. Basically, it is the vessel’s responsibility to ensure that nobody enters the vessel illegally.

We recommend that Members employ the services of private security guards during the vessel’s port stay at Durban as stowaway activity in the port has increased recently. We are not aware of any robbery incidents however we recommend that the crew remain vigilant at all times. They must not allow anyone on board the ship who does not have a port permit. Every visitor should have ISPS clearance. All visitors should surrender their port permit to security and they should collect the same when they leave the ship. If they find someone who should not be on board the ship, they should be taken to the bottom of the gangway (not to the ships office) and they must call port security and advise them that the person in their custody at the bottom of the gangway tried to board the ship but they do not have a port permit.

Stowaways are known to access the vessel by climbing up the mooring lines as well as walking up the gangway pretending to be stevedores.

We recommend that your Members employ three private security guards on the quayside as follows:

1 to patrol the aft mooring lines
1 to patrol forward mooring lines
1 to be posted at the bottom of the gangway. He must be briefed to check that nobody rushes up the gangway.

We also recommend that a dog search be conducted on board the vessel prior to sailing. The Port Agent will be in a position to recommend the services of a security and stowaway search company. The dog search companies offer a guarantee to cover costs of the repatriation should they fail to detect a stowaway, however special attention should be given to their terms and conditions as these terms limit the amount of compensation payable by their company.

We trust that the above information is of assistance to you.

Yours faithfully

P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd.
South Africa

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