There has been a rapid increase in the number of stowaway occurrences in South African ports and this has resulted in cumbersome legal implications for the management and owners of vessels, high costs associated with repatriation of stowaways and danger for crew members.
It has become necessary for guard services and searches to take place aboard vessels prior to the departure.
In addition, stowaway prevention materials should be fitted onto the mooring ropes which are often utilized by the stowaways to gain access to the vessel.