Page 146 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

HORIZON FROM THE BRIDGE

- International Maritime Dangerous Goods Dominican Republic. In addition to vessels’ trade
(IMDG) Code, Code of Practice for Pack- patterns, this problem is also closely linked to
ing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) vessel or cargo type, as well as to the security
and Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS) training and awareness of the crew. The lion’s
Codes, amongst others share of stowaways is found on board bulk, con-
- national applicable legislation tainer, and general cargo vessels. Car carriers
- training and knowledge of the associated are also over-represented compared to other
risks and hazards when a lithium-ion bat- vessel types. The costs involved in looking after
tery fails and goes into thermal runaway. and repatriating stowaways can be substantial.
- fault/failure detection and related The repatriation of stowaways generally involves
required actions moving reluctant people across several conti-
- suppressing, extinguishing and post–fire nents, and problems can easily occur. In 2002,
management the average cost of each stowaway case was
Technology is constantly evolving; therefore, risk approximately USD 7,000. By 2008, this figure
control factors also require constant updates to had increased significantly to just over USD
deal with both the risks and the opportunities. 18,000. If more than one stowaway gains access
Furthermore, human risk control factors are par- to the vessel, the costs have been known to esca-
ticularly unpredictable, which is why any system late to USD 100,000 or more, simply because
must constantly take account of both the tech- repatriation is usually only permitted with two
nological and human elements, new technolo- security guards escorting each stowaway.
gies, systems and devices, and human judgement Shipowners and masters face the problem of
and behaviours. The CINS addresses the tech- identifying the presence of stowaways before a
nical and human aspects of risk control for the ship leaves port or preventing their boarding of
carriage of lithium–ion batteries. the vessel in the first place. However, most stow-
aways are only discovered once a ship has sailed.
STOWAWAYS: PREVENTIVE MEASURES Therefore, dealing with an incident involves the
AND DEALING WITH STOWAWAYS FOUND master and owner in time-consuming negotia-
ONBOARD tions with P&I Clubs, agents and authorities. The
Stowaways seem to be an ever-present prob- cost of disruptions to the ship’s schedule alone
lem for the shipping industry, particularly for can be considerable.
those trading on the coast of West Africa, in There are a number of preventive measures the
Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and the master and crew can take before the ship enters

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