Addressing Stowaway Challenges in Maritime Security

Stowaways pose a continuing challenge for the security and safety of ships and crew members, leading to significant costs for shipowners and insurers. The financial impact of stowaway incidents is on the rise, costing the industry millions of dollars annually. With the increasing global migration by sea, encounters with distressed individuals in small or overcrowded boats have become more common for seafarers worldwide. Disembarking and repatriating stowaways can be a complex process, emphasizing the need for prevention measures to stop stowaways from accessing ships in the first place.

Certain regions of the world are more prone to stowaway issues, with new trends emerging, such as stowaways hiding in rudder trunks of cargo ships or boarding ferries and RoRo freighters on short sea passages in Europe. Mass migration by sea continues to be a significant concern, with overcrowded and poorly equipped boats putting individuals at risk. Irregular migrants, including refugees and victims of human trafficking, travel unauthorized routes, creating challenges for seafarers who may encounter them at sea.

The Mediterranean remains a hotspot for irregular migrant sea routes, but other regions also see significant activity, such as displaced Rohingya leaving Bangladesh or individuals attempting to enter the United States from the Caribbean and Mexico. The UK has witnessed a surge in arrivals by small boats crossing the English Channel, highlighting the dangers and challenges faced by those attempting sea crossings. Seafarers are obligated to assist individuals in distress at sea, but managing large groups of distressed individuals on merchant vessels can be daunting, underscoring the need for proper procedures and compliance with international regulations. A newly released publication by ICS/Witherby provides guidance to shipowners, officers, and crew on how to handle stowaways and distressed individuals encountered at sea, focusing on security, safety, and regulatory compliance.

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