The threat of stowaways continues even outside of ports, with new cases of people boarding vessels at anchorages in West Africa, according to a security company.
Fifteen stowaways got on board a ship that had already been searched off the port of Lagos as the pilot was leaving the ship, said Max Williams, chief operating officer of Africa Risk Compliance (ARC).
ARC identified 17 incidents in one year from Lagos involving more than 100 stowaways, Williams told a security webinar run by Britannia P&I.
He told TradeWinds that several cases had been reported at anchorages off the African coastline, and the sophistication of some of the attempts pointed to insider knowledge.
“What it shows is that stowaways are very aware of who is needed to help them get on board and are very aware of how ships work,” he said.
While a vessel is alongside after leaving a port, that “provides an opportunity for them to jump on board and there have been several cases of stowaways getting access at anchorages”, he said.
A ship’s master should consider anchoring after departing high-risk ports for a final stowaway search, including the rudder trunk, having released the tugs and pilot, according to guidance from the Steamship Mutual protection and indemnity club.
Six Nigerian stowaways were found after hiding on the rudders of two ships that arrived in Brazil and the Canary Islands last year.
Steamship warned that stowaways might also try to board ships using small boats to evade searches while in port.
“This should be a consideration if a stoppage upon departure, for a final stowaway search, is initiated,” said the guidance.
The issue is a problem across ports in West Africa. P&I clubs reported 892 stowaways in 2021/2022, a steady decline in numbers from 1,955 in 2007/2008.
Nigeria and Sierra Leone are among the nations that have sought to crack down on the long-standing issue.
Some countries are reluctant to help a master disembark stowaways at their ports and they may be required to stay on board until they reach another port.
Sierra Leone this year introduced a penalty of $2,000 per stowaway who leaves a ship at its ports.
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