The Association wishes to remind Members of the potential for an increase in stowaways trying to gain access to vessels in South African ports during the holiday period. It is understood that illegal persons in the country are perhaps trying to secure their travel home at substantial costs to the shipowners and P&I Clubs. Members are reminded of the previous bulletin and which the Association has repeated in this notification, namely, the loss prevention/mitigation measures that should be adopted when a vessel calls a South African port. The Association wish to thank P&I Associates Pty (Ltd) for their continued advices and updates on the situation locally. The current ruling in South Africa remains unchanged as follows: Should any unlawful person gain access onto a ship in a South African port, the person will automatically be deemed to be a stowaway unless the vessel can provide photographic, video or third party evidence (terminal security) that the stowaway attempted to board the vessel in Durban. Therefore, the Immigration Authorities are now declaring unwanted guests that are found on board the vessel, while the vessel is still in Port, as stowaways. Basically, it is the vessel's responsibility to ensure that nobody enters the vessel illegally. The ship owner will be liable for the full costs of repatriating the stowaway. It is essential therefore that the stowaway does not gain access onto the ship in any way. We understand that ship owners are battling in the current economic conditions and may be reluctant to incur the cost of hiring security guards and instead rely on the crew to police the ship. Stowaway attempts occur as follows: Late at night or early hours of the morning Stowaways wearing clothing which easily blends-in with stevedores' clothing, hardhats and reflective jackets Stowaways wearing colours not easily seen at night They generally climb up berthing ropes, gangways and hide in empty containers and log-ships Many personnel working on a