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Discovery of stowaways onboard ship -Emergency procedures, confinement, arrangement for disembarkation & deportation
It might be difficult or inconvenient to maintain tight security to prevent stowaways from getting on board in the first place and conduct thorough searches before sailing. It is infinitely less of a problem than dealing with the problem of allowing stowaways to sail with the vessel. Despite taking the best precautions, unfortunately, stowaways still being discovered onboard ships. It is particularly true in some African ports due to local political unrest, war, and other socio-economic turmoil. While migrant seekers desperate to leave their country, they target merchant ships, notably those, are Europe or America bound.
The carriage of stowaways on board is consequential for a ship owner's business; the ship could be delayed in port; the repatriation of stowaways might be very complex, which would involve shipmasters, shipowners, port authorities, agents, and a P & I, representative. Furthermore, the life of stowaways could be endangered as they may spend several days hidden, with the risk of suffocation and without any water/provisions. Therefore, it is for the best interest of all best management practices to be implemented to deter stowaways from boarding a vessel.