Release to Third Parties by Special Authorisation of Management only
Stowaways
1.	Purpose
	Due to political and economic conditions the number of persons wishing to entry a country illegally is steadily increasing. Many such persons attempt to be 'smuggled' into a country on board a merchant ship.
	This Documented Procedure issued by Schiffahrtskontor tom Wörden GmbH & Co. KG is intended to give ship's Officers recommendations on how to prevent stowaways, and on how to treat them if they do appear on board.
2.	Application
	This Documented Procedure applies to the Shorebased Organisation and on all ships managed / operated by Schiffahrtskontor tom Wörden GmbH & Co. KG.
3.	Definitions and Abbreviations
3.1	Definitions
	Safety means the safe operation of vessels according to the ISM Code. Environmental Protection means the protection of the maritime environment according to the ISM Code. Safety and Environmental Protection System (SE System) means the System according ISM Code and STCW 95 of Schiffahrtskontor tom Wörden GmbH & Co. KG. Safety and Environmental Protection Manual (SE Manual) means the documentation of Schiffahrtskontor tom Wörden GmbH & Co. KG's SE System.
3.2	Abbreviations
	ISM Code		International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management Code), adopted 04.11.1993
	STCW 95		International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW Convention)
	STCW Code		Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code)
	VA		Documented Procedure
4.	Responsibilities
	Shipboard management, headed by the Master, are responsible for searching a ship for stowaways and arranging for any action to be taken should any be found on board.
	The Fleet Manager is responsible for giving assistance to shipboard management when making arrangements for return transport.

5.	Description of Routines
5.1	Preventing stowaways
	All rooms on board a ship which are not manned or regularly frequented during her stay in port should be kept locked. Suitable solutions can be found for keeping emergency exits open and not blocked, while still preventing possible access by unwanted persons. Depending on the port of call, the Master decides to what extent rooms should be kept locked.
	Constant checks are kept on whether the appropriate rooms are locked or not by the officer / engineer on duty. At the Master's discretion additional action is also taken in ports in which the danger of stowaways is extremely high: Watchmen are placed at the gangway who document the arrival and departure of all visitors in a log Security Guards are engaged (with the Company's consent) Watchmen on duty patrol the ship Floodlighting on deck at night.
5.2	Searching the ship
	A ship is thoroughly searched prior to sailing from ports which are a high risk for stowaways. All possible hideouts in any eligible rooms are checked. During these inspections tight supervision should be kept on those coming aboard or leaving the vessel, or traffic of this kind should be interrupted altogether. For the safety of those carrying out inspections, searches should always be carried out in groups of two or more.
	If checks cannot be carried out while the ship is still berthed, they should be carried out as soon as she sails, if need be on the roads.
	Where checks are carried out while a ship is still in port, any stowaways found are returned to shore with the help of the ship's agents.
5.3	Discovering stowaways at sea
	As a basic principle: a stowaway should never be confronted by only one person and always with the greatest of care, as he may well be armed, for example. Stowaways should only be treated with force in the case of self-defence and if the vessel's safety is at risk.
	Discovery of a stowaway must be reported at once to the officer / engineer of the watch and the Master. The stowaway must be guarded by an adequate number of crew members.
	Stowaways are questioned as to their identity where communication in an appropriate language is possible. They are also requested to hand over any identity papers they may have. They are then searched / frisked for weapons and drugs or any identity papers which they have not already handed over. Due note should also be taken of any diseases or pest infestation etc. The stowaway is informed of the Master's authority.
	Stowaways should be treated with care and with all due respect towards the safety of the ship's crew and to human dignity. Stowaways are given food and drink, and medical care if need be; they are given the use of sanitary facilities and heating is provided where necessary; they are also allowed regular exercise. In the case of groups of stowaways, these are only allowed to leave their place of detention one at a time.
	During emergencies due care should be taken than stowaways come to no harm.
	Stowaways are not allowed to work on board. Voluntary work would require payment and compulsory work would be forced labour.

	The Master informs the shorebased organisation and the ship's agents at the port of departure accordingly. The shorebased organisation informs the relevant P & I Club and contacts the respective agents in the next port of call. All attempts should be made to send stowaways ashore as soon as possible, so they can be returned to their own country.
	The Master duly informs the authorities at the next port of call that the ship has a stowaway / stowaways on board. Special regulations applying in the country of call should be adhered to.
	The Master should have the appropriate reports and log extracts ready and hand these over to the Company, so that matters can be settled with the relevant P & I Club.
6.	References and Remarks
6.1	Reference Documents
	Company Circulars
6.2	Bibliography
	P & I Club Circulars Shipowners Association Circulars
6.3	Remarks
	Every crew member is obliged to report suspicious persons at once to the officer / engineer of the watch. With reference to the new upcoming ISPS Code a new checklist (CL-024) is attached. Further changes in this Procedure are expected.
7.	Documentation
	Deck Log Book Master's Report Correspondence CL-024 Searching for Stowaways
8.	Revision of Documents
	Party responsible for the editorial revision of this procedure:
	Fleet Manager / Designated Person
9.	Distribution
	All Safety Management Manuals
	Additional Copies:
	None
10.	Attachments
	None

Procedure

Schiffahrtskontor tom Wörden GmbH & Co. KG Wilhelm-Schröder-Str. 3 D-21726 Oldendorf

VA-021

Revision 4

17.10.2003

Page 3 of 3

Procedure

Reederei Heinz Corleis Kampweg 4a D-21706 Drochtersen

prepared: 20.09.02	approved: 20.09.02	released: 20.09.02	Revision 1
			Procedure No.: VA-021
M. Blohm	H.Corleis	H.Corleis	Page 1 of 3

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