What is Stowaway Search and How We Can do With The Dogs in Douala - Cameroon | Sealand Support

Everything you need to know Stowaways

What is a stowaway?

A stowaway is a person who sneakily boards a vehicle, such as a ship, an aircraft, a train, a cargo truck, or a bus. Sometimes, the purpose is to get from one place to another without paying for transportation.

Stowaways can be classified under the following categories:

Refugees

Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict, or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often have had to flee with little more than the clothes on their back, leaving behind homes, possessions, jobs, and loved ones.

Economic Migrants

Economic Migrants seeking an improved standard of living, because the conditions or job opportunities in the migrant’s own region are insufficient. The United Nations uses the term migrant worker.

Asylum Seekers

When an individual has left their home country as a political refugee and wishes to seek shelter in another country due to political unrest such as an unwanted uprising against the Government or something along those lines.

P&I

Insurance cover for ship operators is provided by Protection & Indemnity Clubs (Maritime insurance) for any loss and/or liabilities pertaining to stowaways. There is also a clause stating that the insurance claim may be reduced or nullified if it has been deemed by the Club that adequate steps were not taken to protect the ship against stowaways.

The shipowners as well as other staff on the ship will be aware, the costs of disembarkation and repatriation of stowaways on board their vessels have to be incurred by the shipowner/operator.

The following are the costs incurred:-

• Fines relating to stowaways onboard
• Victualling expenses (Cost of food and other stores for the stowaway)
• Cost of guards employed to prevent stowaway from escaping
• Clothing, linen, and beddings for the stowaway
• Embassy fees
• Detention expenses
• Flights, accommodation, and other repatriation costs for stowaway
• Expenses incurred by agents associated with stowaways

These costs may substantially be covered by the Club or the insurance claim may be reduced or nullified if it has been deemed by the Club that adequate steps were not taken to protect the ship against stowaways. The above points are also known to stowaways and hence they try to board vessels for obvious reasons of comfort. Even if they don’t make it to the country they are trying to go to, evidently, they are well taken care of! For Stowaway search with dogs in Douala, Cameroon visit https://www.sealandsupport.com/

Diversion Expenses

These costs are covered by the P&I Club and it is in knowledge to the shipowner if this shall be entertained and covered by the Club. The contract of carriage of cargo may be in violation due to the diversion along with myriad legalities which is why prior consent and permission must be taken from the appropriate Authorities. It may be necessary for members to arrange additional Shipowners Liability (SOL) insurance cover to ensure that their side is covered and protected in case of a breach with regard to the contract of carriage.

Checklists and Questionnaires

Questionnaires, pertaining to stowaways, must be placed onboard (filed) in case an interrogation has to be carried in the event of discovering a stowaway on board. The prospectus is kept in place as guidance to the Master to ensure that the best possible action is taken to avoid the entry of stowaways altogether. These might be made accessible in a variety of languages and can be sent to the appropriate authorities in case a stowaway situation arises. The questionnaires are designed with the help or ARM International in Durban from years of experience and case studies

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