Stowaways :: essays research papers fc

StowawaysStowaways have been a problem to shipowners for about as long as there have beenships in the sea. In the wee days of piloting ships and looser maritimelegislation, this was a relatively minor problem. This bidly had to due withthe fact that the ships were smaller in comparison to todays standards, andwere comparatively heavy crewed. Thus the chances for a stowaway to cook onboard and go unexplored for whatever length of time were fairly small. Also inthat age, the construct of "human rights" was not what it is today, and anystowaways that were found often became involuntary members of the crew. in that locationwas, therefore, little incentive to croak an unpaying passenger on a merchandisership. Today, however, ships have become ever larger, the maritime world hasbecome progressively regulated, and the issue of stowaways has become a majorproblem. in that respect atomic number 18 in truth several originators why stowaways have become more of a problem. The authorized driving factor is really an economic one (Wiener). With all of thepolitical and economic strife in the world today, there is a abundant population ofpeople who are only if tired of being on the rock bottom of the economic ladder,and are desperate for a improve life in a different place. This is really thebasic reason why someone would want to spend a week or so crammed into a stuffycontainer or other similarly uneasy accommodations in order to get fromwherever they are to somewhere else. It isnt because they just didnt have themoney for a plane ticket, but it is the fact that they are being lured by theprospect of a better life. They are willing to leave their homelands and endureuncertain conditions in order to get there.There is, of course, the possibility of applying to another country, such as theUnited States or any other world economic superpower, for admission as animmigrant. This is a real long and difficult process, and the likelihood ofactually gettin g in is slim. even if it was possible, few third world citizenscan actually afford passage overseas, let alone find and afford housing,meals, and so forth, once they get there. The fact of the matter is that maydesperately poor people who would like to immigrate to another country simplylack the resources to make the locomote legally. Therefore, alternative measures,such as stealing rides on merchant ships, become very attractive (Wiener).Another component is the ever increasing coat of todays merchant ships, coupledwith the gradual decrease in the size of the crews sailing in them.