SAFETY4SEA Flash Mail 2015-44

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SAFETY4SEA Fos ter i ng Saf et y Exce l l ence & Sus ta i nab l e Sh i pp i ng
S A F E T Y 4 S E A We e k l y F l a s h M a i l 2 0 1 5 - 4 4
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2/ Stowaways Checklist
UK P&I Club has issued stowaways checklist to provide guidance in steps for preventing and dealing with
stowaways. According to the checklist, the Club recommends the following steps:
- Prior to and during a ship’s call at any port, it will be necessary to ensure all relevant sections of the ISPS
Code are implemented particularly regarding the ship’s gangway and dock areas. All access points should be
secured.
- Ensure there is always a member of the ship’s crew manning the gangway who is closely monitoring all
persons embarking and disembarking. Additional precautions such as CCTV should also be used where
available.
- On ro-ro vessels the ramp should be monitored at all times and any access points on deck should be locked
so that the vessel cannot be penetrated.
- Agents should obtain and provide the ship with a list from the stevedore company that clearly identifies the
number of stevedores working on the ship. It is essential that stevedores only embark and disembark by the
ship’s gangway and their movements are constantly monitored whilst onboard.
- All visitors that are expected on the ship should be known to the ship’s master, the crew member assigned
to gangway watch duty and the agents, with their expected time of arrival and clear details of their intended
business onboard. All visitors should be instructed to report to the crew member assigned to gangway watch
duties in the first instance.
- Be vigilant for any persons who may be trying to board the ship by mooring ropes or small boats at the
waters edge. This is particularly important when the ship is berthed at night.
- It is essential that the ship is searched prior to departure, including all dark and difficult to access areas.
This should include areas that are thought to be locked/secured. Empty bays on container vessels and empty
holds on bulk/general cargo vessels should be searched. In some circumstances it may be prudent to
engage an external search company to assist with a search prior to the ship’s departure.
In case a stowaway is found onboard, The Club recommends briefly to take the following measures:
- Once the presence of a stowaway has been detected it is important to inform the owners and the port
agents.
- It is the responsibility of the agent to advise the local authorities of the stowaway’s presence
- It can be very useful to search the area where the stowaway was found
- Ensure that the stowaway’s clothing has been searched
- The stowaway must be photographed and interviewed
- Once the above information has been obtained, it should be reported to the Club and/or the local
correspondent
- While the stowaway remains onboard, he should be fed and allowed access to basic items such as bed and
toilet
- It will be necessary for the stowaway to be kept secure at all times
[More… ]
3/ Navigation warning for vessels trading on the Benin Bight off West Africa
Republic of Marshall Islands has recently received a report stating that because of their anti-piracy protocols
some commercial vessels trading on the Benin Bight off West Africa may not be displaying navigation lights
as required by the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGS). In
addition, their automatic identification system (AIS) may also not be transmitting. Administrator strongly
recommends that ship managers and masters of Republic of the Marshall Islands registered vessels trading
on the Benin Bight share this information with all Bridge Team members, and that this situation be factored
into their berth-to-berth voyage plans. Additionally it is recommended that Bridge Teams be reminded of the
need to maintain a sharp lookout, especially in hours of darkness, and to use radar information for collision
avoidance. [More …. ]
4/ Special requirements for Emergency Escape Breathing Devices
ClassNK has issued Technical Information TEC-1052 to inform about specal requirements for Emergency
Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs) regarding Bahamas Flagged Vessels. Offshore units certified under