UK Club warns of stowaways in West Africa

TIN news:   The UK P&I Club warns that several incidents in West Africa concerning stowaways boarding/attempting to board a vessel via the rudder trunk have been reported and advise operators to be extra diligent

In one instance, seven stowaways attempted to board the vessel after having approached by speedboat. The Master and crew spotted the boat and managed to take preventative action to deter the stowaways before they successfully climbed the rudder.

Another instance saw four stowaways discovered well into the vessel’s journey towards South America. The stowaways entered the vessel via the rudder trunk, cutting through the protective grates in place.

Operators operating bulk carriers on ballast voyages are advised to be extra diligent, as they may be seen as "easy targets". Operators are advised to ensure that stowaways/drugs searches include a thorough examination of the rudder trunk and other spaces that appear to be fairly secure. This is particularly prudent given that the costs associated with stowaway repatriation can be extremely high; it is not uncommon, in Brazil for example, for costs to be in excess of US$30,000 for a single stowaway