Marine Security Advisory - 01/2007 - Incidents Of Stowaways In Turkey
15 March 2007
Marine Security Advisory 01/2007
March 15, 2007
MARITIME ADVISORY - SECURITY 01/2007
SUBJECT: INCIDENTS OF STOWAWAYS IN TURKEY
Dear Owners/Operators/Masters:
The Administration would like draw your attention to a number of recent incidents involving stowaways in the port of Mersin, Turkey. The reports indicate stowaways have gained access to open top containers prior to loading on the vessel. In a recent incident 29 stowaways were found in one open top container. Such occurrences are often difficult to detect by normal stowaway search plans on board. The repercussions by local officials have been harsh. In the incident noted the Master was taken to prison.
The Administration recommends Masters be informed to exercise extra vigilance and take precautions including completing a Declaration of Security and implementing additional security measures as recommended in the SSP. Some other potential problems which should be considered where open top containers are loaded:
- Open-top containers are stowed within the port facility without restricted access in mind
- Cuts in the tarpaulin securing cord/wire or the tarpaulin itself to gain access
- Depending on cargo, space could exist for a number of stowaways
- Inadequate port facility security encourages trafficking of stowaways in open-top containers
- When landed ashore temporarily for re-stow
For more information please contact the Security Department at telephone +1 703 251 2435 email:
security@liscr.com, or Captain Inderjit Arora at telephone +1 703 251 2453 email: IARORA@liscr.com.
Regards,
Capt. David Pascoe
Head Maritime Operations & Standards
On behalf of
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF MARITIME AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
