With thanks to Club correspondents Africa Marine Services (Europe) Limited, the Managers wish to inform their members of the recent notice 01/001/24 published by the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority - Disembarkation of Stowaways at Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority.
The notice advises shipowners to instruct their Masters “not to deviate from the planned voyage to seek the disembarkation of stowaways discovered onboard after leaving the territorial waters of the country where the stowaways embarked, unless:
- The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority has granted prior permission to disembark the stowaways or
- The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority accepts extenuating security, health or compassionate reasons.
To incentivize ship crews in enhancing their vigilance during the vessel’s time in port, the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa is implementing a disembarkation fine of for each stowaway. The Authority will therefore be introducing a fine of $2,000 for each stowaway. Alternatively, vessels are encouraged to transport the stowaways to the next port of call.
The Club Risk Alert 99 Guidelines to prevent Stowaway access to vessels provides guidance on safeguarding against stowaways gaining access to a vessel and the actions to be taken when stowaways are found onboard.
Read the full Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority circular here.
Acknowledgements:
Our thanks to Club correspondents Africa Marine Services (Europe) Limited for providing this information.
Supportive Information
For further information on this or other Loss Prevention topics please contact the Loss Prevention Department, Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7247 5490; Email: [email protected]
