Corrupt port officials: what we all do to get by

Your article Corruption at ports endangering seafarers in the May-June 2024 Telegraph covers a matter never discussed before I believe.

I served as master worldwide for 25 years, and found demands of this kind to be unheard of in most of the world, but found frequently in Central and South America, and always at the Suez Canal.

My employers accepted without question the 'usual' Suez canal expense, which averaged from 12 to 17 cartons of cigarettes and occasionally one bottle of whiskey.

Central and South America is different. A horde of port officials come onboard and do their documentary examination, then with a big smile announce: 'Now captain, we will check your bonded store.' About six officials proceed there, and on one occasion some extra hopefuls are ejected by the senior official present.

Without my presence, a smash and grab raid would take place, but with a loud voice I announce: 'Only one man, one present.' I falsely explain that if more is given out, my employers will make me pay for it, and it always works. They all happily trot off with one 'present'.

However, when cargo holds have to be passed for cleanliness it can get worse. Once it took 11 bottles of whiskey, 12 cartons of cigarettes and a whole case of soft drinks to do the job. Even worse, one 'port captain' declined to even go on deck to peer down the open hold, but announced he needed $500 and walked off the ship. After consulting the ship's agent, I contacted owners and they immediately agreed the payment. Delay was minimal and cargo was loaded!

I only experienced one other major extortion, and that was in Thailand (20 cigarettes and two cartons of beer). One other rather minor scene is played out on ships passing the quarantine inspection in the Bosporus, passing into the Black Sea. Even the pilot seems to organise it. An officer has to descend into the quarantine launch, while the ship is underway, to present the documents, and is always advised to take one carton of cigarettes. The ship is cleared to proceed in about three minutes!

I have never seen any serious food theft, other than some minor scrounging. However in the Suez Canal, while underway in a straight stretch, the pilot frequently will leave the bridge, sometimes with a flag to kneel upon as he prays, but on at least one occasion left the ship underway to go down to the steward wanting food, often cheese.

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