SFP- STOWAWAY FOCAL POINT

IMO DESIGNATES STOWAWAY FOCAL POINT (SFP) TO ASSIST MASTERS IN THE RESOLVING  STOWAWAYS PROBLEMS

The IMO defines stowaways in Section 1A of the Facilitation (FAL) Convention as:
“Stowaway means a person who is secreted on a ship, or in cargo which is subsequently loaded on the ship without the consent of the shipowner or the master or any other responsible person and who is detected on board the ship after it has departed from a port, or in the cargo while unloading it in the port of arrival, and is reported as a stowaway by the master to the appropriate authorities.”

1. 07 Aug 2007 - At the meeting of the IMO Facilitation Committee, a joint paper submitted by INTERCARGO / INTERTANKO formed the basis of a decision to designate an IMO “Stowaway Focal Point" (SFP) to assist masters in the resolution of stowaway problems when conventional resolution ( help from P&I club , local government ) techniques prove unsuccessful.

2. With immediate effect, a trial period was initiated where masters can  seek assistance on a Government to Government basis  in facilitating diplomatic assistance in order to assist the disembarkation of stowaways in circumstances where existing processes have been attempted but have not successfully resolved the problem.  

3. Stowaway Focal Point (SFP) : If P&I / Company / Flag cannot resolve the issue for stowaways then IMO SFP will be connected for resolving the matter.

 

4. To contact the Stowaway Focal Point and to send statistical reports on stowaways , vessels should use e-mail falsec@imo.org or telephone +44 207 587 3110 during IMO Working Hours remembering to seek the advice of their P&I Club / Flag State.