Security affects shore leave for seafarers

Seafarers, both foreign and North American, say they are being treated like security risks when they hit American shores and are being subjected to unnecessary restrictions as some port and plant officials across the U.S. prohibit them from going ashore.

Though many have been cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard, some seafarers say that extra security being put in place by federal authorities such as the Immigration and Naturalization Service and private industry is creating a bigger problem. Since Sept. 11, U.S. immigration officials have denied even brief shore leave for entire crews in what seafarer advocates say are violations of rules that are followed around the world. In some cases, they say they are virtually held prisoner by terminal operators.

At some private industry terminals along the coast of Texas, for example, virtually all access has been cut off for seafarers, reports the Houston Chronicle. Public telephones have been removed from some areas, and other docks have locked gates keep seafarers off the premises.

The situation is affecting both American merchant marines and foreign seamen, some of whom are now refusing to work ships that dock in American ports.