94012 Stowaways

Stowaways
- Dominican Republic.
- Report No. 94012.

The area is well known as a high risk area for stowaways and so every precaution was taken on board prior to arrival and during the stay in port to prevent any undesirables coming aboard. All doors leading to the accommodation, except one adjacent to the gangway, were locked. Entrances into the steering flat, mast housing, storerooms and the f'o'c'sle head were either padlocked or the door welded down.

During the second night in port, when discharging operations were around the clock, it was discovered towards dawn that the fo'c'sle head escape door on deck was not in its original locked position, whereupon the fo'c'sle head area was searched. The trap door to the chain lockers was opened and nearby, beside some old mooring lines, were four stowaways. They were well stocked with flasks of fresh water and packages of bread in plastic bags.

One of them had come aboard with the night stevedores un-noticed and sneaked inside the fo'c'sle head when a crew member was inside sorting out light clusters. The other three were wet and it appeared that they had come aboard from the sea side and were assisted on board by the one that had previously boarded with the stevedores.