{
  "id": 19029144,
  "title": "Stowaway prevention: best practice",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/stowaway-prevention-best-practice",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-08T22:00:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/stowaway-prevention-best-practice/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Stowaways pose a significant security and operational risk for vessels visiting West African ports. Skuld's recent cases underscore the importance of comprehensive and systematic searches to prevent stowaways from boarding ships. Even with professional security services and trained dogs, the vessel's own search remains crucial. Effective prevention requires strict access control, vigilant watchkeeping, and thorough physical searches tailored to each vessel. Third-party measures should complement, not replace, the ship's own searches. In the first incident, seven stowaways were found several days after departure, having hidden in the crane house. Despite shore-based searches, they remained undetected. Two months later, another vessel discovered seven Ghanaian stowaways hiding around the access ladder area of a cargo hold body hatch, despite third-party searches. Both cases highlight the need for thorough searches and tight gangway control, especially during busy operations. Effective prevention involves more than just following a checklist; it demands strict access control, a systematic vessel-specific search plan, and sufficient time for inspection. Best practices recommend a layered approach focused on access control and systematic physical searches. Before departure, the Master and Ship Security Officer should assess local risks and create a search plan, identifying potential hiding spots. Two physical searches should be conducted: one before departure and another after pilot disembarkation. Adequate time, typically three to four hours per search, must be allocated, considering vessel size and accessibility of hiding places. Search teams must inspect each area thoroughly, moving materials that could conceal stowaways. Professional guards and trained dogs offer additional security but should not be mistaken for conclusive proof. Ultimately, thoroughness in searching is paramount to prevent stowaway incidents.",
  "summary": "Stowaways remain a significant security and operational risk for vessels calling at ports in West Africa. Two recent cases handled by Skuld once again highlight the persistent stowaway risk in the region and the importance of conducting thorough and systematic physical searches. Even where professional third-party security services and trained search dogs are employed, the ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}