During a recent visit to a Member's vessel the following unfortunate incident was witnessed.
Circular 7/00: An Investment in Millers
02/06/2000
The Customs Authorities in Tripoli, Libya are currently taking a very strict approach to contraband or breach of any local regulations.
We would advise Members that ships arriving in Singapore waters will soon be required to submit passage plans.
We refer to Bulletin 20 - 10/97 Hantavirus state of alert in Peru. We have now received further information issued by the Director-General of Harbour Masters' Offices and Coast Guard on the 5th May 2000 in respect of actions to be taken by vessels arriving from all foreign ports at which HANTVIRUS has been reported to exist. This follows a circular from the Peruvian health authorities advising that Panama and Bolivia have now been included on the list of countries that have had deaths from Hantavirus.
141 - 5/00 - The Smuggling of Stowaways
30/04/2000
We have to report the recent murder of a crewmember on shore leave in La Guaira, Venezuela. The crew member in question was shot dead soon after going ashore to telephone his family. Unfortunately on subsequent investigation it was established that such acts of violence in this particular area are not uncommon.
Members should be aware that the 17 member states of the Tokyo MOU have agreed to increase their inspection rate in the Asia Pacific area to 75% . This increase, from 50%, is due to begin from October 1st 2000. The members have agreed to develop a targeting system. The criteria is not yet known but is likely to be based on previous inspection records. It will also include factors such as flag, owner and class.