USA

US gets tough on crew desertion despite ISPS

A worrying trend for shipowners is the United State's Department of Homeland Security's recent reactions to desertion of crewmembers on shore leave. Despite providing crewmembers with the appropriate visas and shore passes and employing 24-hour security guards on board in accordance with the ISPS Code, a shipowner's ability to make future calls to US ports is now being significantly affected by the failure of a crewmember to return from shore leave.

Orders imposed after a desertion can include a security plan, in addition to the 96-hour rule, detailing how the vessel will provide 24-hour security including guards, lighting and musters of the crew. Port Captains have power to impose additional requirements as they see fit and only after approval of the security plan by the District Commander will the vessel be allowed a future call in US waters.

The implications are quite clear: in the event of a desertion and despite a previous exemplary record, there is scope for US authorities to prevent a return call to the US or to interfere with commercial operations. The additional security arrangements required to satisfy the authorities' concerns will inevitably involve shipowners in costly additional expense.