The current situation in Ceuta is increasing the risk of stowaways on board vessels calling the port with reports from our correspondents and contacts that migrants are seeking to board vessels headed for mainland Europe.
We recommend that shipowners and crew take additional prevention measures in order to avoid stowaways from coming on board whenever the vessel is brought along side or when loading or unloading cargo or supplies and to act quickly if a stowaway is found.
In the event that a stowaway is able to gain access to the vessel this may lead to delay, deviation, fines, additional security costs and repatriation expenses. In light of the current political pressure in Spain resolving such incidents may be more complicated than usual.
We recommend that members calling Ceuta instruct the crew to take additional preventative measures, including:
- apply strict gangway control and increase deck patrols
- inspect containers, holds and other hiding places
- record all searches in the logbook
- reporting suspicious activity to the port authorities, local agents and the NNPC
For more detailed loss prevention advice we refer our members to our stowaway prevention publication and the NNPC Stowaway Cheatsheet, available for members. In the event that members require advice or assistance please contact us on claims@nnpc-marine.com.
