P&I Associates (Pty) Ltd, our correspondents in Durban, South Africa, has provided us with the following information.

Quote

We have been advised by a spokesperson from the Harbour Master’s office, that the following requirements will have to be put in place before the disembarkation of a stowaway or stowaways at Durban.

(1) Vessels arriving at Durban from foreign ports will be required to give 96 hours notice of stowaways on board providing the vessel is ISPS compliant. If the vessel is not ISPS compliant then this could hinder the disembarkation of stowaways.

(2) Vessels arriving at Durban whose last port of call was a South African port, would be allowed to disembark stowaways without giving notice as practised in the past provided they meet with the National Port Authorities requirements.

(3) Vessels arriving at Durban Roads from South African ports wishing to disembark stowaways at the outer anchorage would be allowed to do so as practised in the past, provided they meet with the National Port Authorities requirements.

(4) Vessels leaving Durban harbour and stowaways are found on board after the vessel has left the anchorage, would be allowed to disembark stowaways as practised in the past, provided they meet with the National Port Authorities requirements.

National Port Authority requirements are as follows:

In all cases where stowaways have been found on board a vessel from either a foreign port or South African port, it is a requirement that the pre-arrival form from the National Ports Authority of South Africa be completed by vessel’s local agent and forwarded to:

(a) Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre, Cape Town
(b) Durban Port Control
(c) Port Security Officer, Durban

before stowaway or stowaways are allowed to disembark.

These requirements have not been cast in stone and could change from time to time. In the meantime, our office has not experienced any difficulty in taking off stowaways with the introduction of the ISPS code. Local Immigration requirements as they stand would also have to be complied with.

Unquote

---

Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.