US Coast Guard demands ports ease seafarers' shore leave

THE US Coast Guard has called on port captains to review post 9/11 security regulations to ensure that seafarers get shore leave, often prevented by financial constraints demanding they be escorted ashore.

The Seaman's Church Institute found that it has been "difficult or impossible" for seafarers to obtain shore leave after the 2001 terrorist attacks because of a tightening of port security, reports American Shipper.

Now the US Coast Guard has declared: "Despite your best efforts, there are still cases where seafarer access is outright denied, for shore leave, crew change, etc. Additionally, due to requirements put in place by the facility or vessel owners or operators, seafarers are prevented from leaving their ships due to financial requirements associated with authorised escorts."

The report also said the "US Coast Guard said it has an authority to mandate that facilities under the Maritime Transportation Security Act provide reasonable access to seafarers, and said this may be the subject of a future regulatory change."

(Source: www.schednet.com)