Page 148 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023

HORIZON FROM THE BRIDGE

port, during the stay in port, and after departure. was found can be very useful.
Prior to and during a ship’s call at any port, the - Ensure that the stowaway’s clothing has
following steps are recommended: been searched.
- All relevant sections of the ISPS Code - The stowaway must be photographed and
should be implemented, particularly interviewed.
regarding the ship’s gangway and dock - Once the above information has been
areas, and all access points should be obtained, it should be reported to the P&I
secured. Club.
- A crew member should always man the - While the stowaway remains onboard,
gangway and closely monitor all persons he should be fed and allowed access to
embarking and disembarking. On ro-ro essential items such as a bed and toilet.
vessels, the ramp should be monitored at - It is necessary to keep the stowaway
all times, and all access points on deck secure at all times.
should be locked so the vessel cannot be - The stowaway should not be assigned any
penetrated. duties on board.
- Agents should obtain and provide the Any master who has had to deal with a stow-
ship with a list from the stevedore com- away situation on board will agree that time and
pany that clearly identifies the number money invested in preventing stowaways from
of stevedores working on the ship. It is boarding a vessel is time and money well spent.
essential that stevedores only embark and Therefore, it is hoped that the advice provided
disembark by the ship’s gangway and that will assist ship officers and crews in avoiding the
their movements are constantly monitored problem altogether or at least ensure a swift res-
whilst onboard. olution to a situation that poses a challenge to
- The master of the ship, the crew member owners/operators in many cases.
assigned runway watch duty, and the
agents should be notified about all the vis- ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY PROCEDURES
itors expected on the ship, their expected An enclosed space is a space with poor or no
arrival time, and precise details of their natural ventilation which is not designed for
business on board. continuous occupancy, where access is limited,
- All visitors should be instructed to report and which may contain a dangerous atmosphere.
to the crew member assigned to gangway Enclosed spaces include but are not limited to
watch duties in the first instance. cargo tanks, double bottoms, cargo
- The crew should be vigilant about any pumprooms, duct keels, ballast tanks, void areas,
persons who may be trying to board the peak tanks, cofferdams, chain lockers, bunker
ship by mooring ropes or small boats at the tanks, freshwater tanks, machinery internals, and
water’s edge. This is particularly important other spaces normally kept closed.
when the ship is berthed at night. An enclosed space may include a deck area with
- The ship, including all its dark and diffi- poor or limited access due to its construction
cult-to-access areas, should be searched and location and where a dangerous atmosphere
before departure. This search should may accumulate. The hazards identified below
include areas that are thought to be may be present around such a deck area.
locked/secured. Enclosed space atmospheres can be hazardous
- Empty bays on container vessels and due to one or a combination of the following
empty holds on bulk/general cargo vessels conditions:
should be searched. In some cases, it may - oxygen deficiency
be prudent to engage an external search - the presence of inert gas, including nitro-
company to assist with a search before the gen
ship’s departure. - the presence of toxic or flammable gases
If a stowaway is found onboard, the following - an accumulation of toxic or heavy gases
measures should be taken: at the lower levels of the space, or oxygen
- Once the presence of a stowaway has enrichment.
been detected, it is crucial to inform the The following contributory factors have been
owners and the port agents. frequently identified following enclosed space
- The agent is responsible for advising the accident investigations:
local authorities of the stowaway’s pres- - non-compliance with procedures
ence. - poor supervision
- Searching the area where the stowaway - complacency and over-familiarity, lead-

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