P&O Irish Sea

P&O Ferries must be advised at the time of booking.
 
Appropriate licenses must support firearms (which is always at our sole discretion), otherwise customers may not bring firearms, weapons or substances of an explosive or hazardous nature.

If the customer is unsure which documentation is needed, refer them to their firearms licence issuer.

P&O Express Procedure

• Pax cannot travel with ammunition: Vehicle or Footpassengers
• Pax cannot travel as Footpassngers with firearms or sporting weapons
• Pax can travel in a vehicle with firearms or sporting weapons but no ammunition
• Appropriate licenses must support firearms.
• Carriage of firearms must be declared at the time of booking 
European Causeway & Highlander Procedure
• Pax cannot travel with ammunition as a Footpassenger, but can travel in a vehicle.
• Pax cannot travel as Footpassenger with firearms or sporting weapons
• Pax can travel in a vehicle with firearms or sporting weapons.  Appropriate licenses must support firearms.  Carriage of firearms & ammunition must be declared at the time of booking.

Vehicles must report for check-in no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

Liverpool Dublin route Procedure

• Pax can travel in a vehicle with firearms and sporting goods.
• Appropriate licenses must support firearms.
• Carriage of firearms & ammunition must be declared at the time of booking.
• At check-in all paperwork will be inspected by police and the firearms will be taken from the customer and placed in a locked cabinet onboard the vessel.

Vehicles must report for check-in no later than 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

1000 cartridges of UN Class 1.4 S may be carried per vehicle, provided that they are still in the original manufacturer's packaging.  Unless we give you prior written permission (which shall always be at our sole discretion), you may not bring with you any other firearms or other weapons of any nature or substances of an explosive or hazardous nature.  You may carry inflammable substances only in limited quantities and in accordance with our instructions and permission. 
 
Please be advised that passengers must transit through the AMSA security shed prior to check-in. Any vehicle, which has not passed through the AMSA shed, will be sent back

STENA LINE

Carriage of Firearms

The safe transport of firearms is strictly regulated on all routes. It is a requirement that any firearm is always supported by the issue of a licence which is appropriate to the country of departure and/or destination, which should be available for inspection if requested.

When a vehicle (or passenger) carrying firearms arrives at the port our Duty Manager and the Port Security will then be notified and locally documented procedures will then be implemented to ensure that the following actions occurs, as appropriate:

Foot passengers

• If a foot passenger will be carrying firearms the customer must declare so at the time of booking and then at the check-in desk upon arrival at the port.
• On arrival at the port of departure foot passengers should surrender any firearm and provide appropriate certificates at Foot passenger check-in.
• The Stena Line Duty Manager and Port Security will be notified.
• Firearms surrendered by foot passengers will be conveyed by the Stena Line Duty Manager or his representative to the Ship's master or nominated deputy for safe keeping.
• The firearm will be returned to disembarking foot passengers on board the vessel in the destination port. A representative of Stena Line must then escort the passenger out of the port.
Vehicles
• If a vehicle will be carrying firearms the customer must declare so at the time of booking (for bookings made online, please call 08447 70 70 70 with your booking reference number) and also at the check-in booth upon arrival at the port.
• The Stena Line Duty Manager and Port Security will be notified. Locally documented procedures will ensure that the following action occurs:
The firearms will remain in the vehicle for the duration of the crossing provided that:
a) The firearms are out of sight locked in the boot or other secure area within the vehicle.
b) The loading officer or his nominated deputy has confirmed that all doors to the vehicle are locked.

The port and ship will ensure that measures are implemented to enable the identification of vehicles carrying firearms whilst they are within the Port area and on board ship.

When the ship arrives at its destination the procedure will operate in reverse according to local documented procedures in that port.

These regulations are not applicable to the Harwich to the Hook of Holland route.

Carriage of Ammunition

A maximum of 1000 cartridges of UN Class 1.4s may be carried in a private vehicle without documentation provided that the cartridges are in the original manufacturers packaging.

Quantities in excess of this amount, or which are not Class 1.4s, must be declared and carried according to the full provisions of the IMDG Code; and only if the vessels "Dangerous Goods Document of Compliance" permits such carriage*.

The ammunition will remain in the vehicle for the duration of the crossing provided that:
a) The ammunition is out of sight locked in the boot or other secure area within the vehicle.
b) The loading officer or his nominated deputy has confirmed that all doors to the vehicle are locked.
c) Vehicle passengers will remain under close supervision until they have left the car deck.

When the ship arrives at its destination the procedure will operate in reverse according to local documented procedures in that port.

Ammunition is prohibited for carriage on Stena Express (Lynx) services in all circumstances.

Further information, if necessary, can be obtained from the Duty Manager at the port of departure.

*Ammunition in higher quantities which would only be carried when supported by a Dangerous Goods declaration must be booked and ticketed via our Freight Department (and this will also be dependent on the vessel / route requested, and if it is authorised to do so according to statutory vessel certification). These enquiries should be referred to our Freight Reservations department:-

Calling from UK - 0845 070 4000
Calling from outside UK - 44 (0)870 850 3535
Calling from Republic of Ireland - 01 204 7722

These regulations are not applicable to the Harwich to the Hook of Holland route.

Web links:-

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/faqs/shipments-of-firearms-and-dangerous-goods/sq2/

http://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/faqs/shipments-of-firearms-and-dangerous-goods/sq3/

NORFOLKLINE

Carriage of Firearms

1.0 Purpose

1.1 Effective security of our terminal operations and on board our vessels is critically important to our staff and customers.

1.2 Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries are required by law and are committed to taking appropriate counter terrorism measures to safeguard the security and protection of passengers, staff, vessels and port facilities.

1.3 Our staff during the course of their working day, or customers whilst traveling on our vessels, can feel safe in the knowledge that Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries have strict procedures for the carriage of firearms on board the vessels.

1.4 Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries are also required under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 [UK] and The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 [ROI] to provide a duty of care to all persons entering our terminals.

2.0 Scope

2.1  This document identifies the procedures required to help prevent unauthorised carriage of firearms on board Norfolkline Irish Sea Vessels.

2.2.1 This document will also identify when the carriage of firearms is permitted on board vessels and by whom.

2.3 The document clearly identifies the roles and responsibilities each member of staff has in the process of passengers carrying firearms on board our vessels.

3.0 References and Guidance

3.1 Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990, TRANSEC Maritime Security Circular No. 2/02, Carriage of Firearms and Ammunitions
3.2 Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
3.3 The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 [ROI]
3.4 Firearms Act 1968
3.5 Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
3.6 Firearms Acts (Amendment), Regulations (Arms and Ammunition) 1992.
3.7 The Firearms Order (Northern Ireland) 2004 
3.8 The Firearms (Removal to Northern Ireland) Order 1990
3.9 Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Republic of Ireland)
3.10 Firearms (Scotland) Rules 1989

4.0 Definitions

4.1 Firearms - within the definition of the Firearms Acts (UK), means a lethal barreled weapon of any description, from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged. It includes any prohibited weapon, whether it is such a lethal weapon as aforesaid or not, and any component part of such a weapon, and any accessory to such weapon designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by the firing of the weapon.

4.2 Firearms, within the terms of what you are allowed to hold on a firearm certificate, would obviously not include any prohibited weapons. Neither would it include "shotguns", as they are held on a shotgun certificate. Except, that is, for Section 1 shotguns, which can only be held on a firearm certificate.  In Northern Ireland there is no equivalent to a Shotgun Certificate, any firearm, shotgun, handgun or rifle and including air guns must be held on a Northern Ireland Firearms Certificate.

4.3 Section 1 shotgun - a Section 1 shotgun differs from a conventional shotgun, by virtue of the fact that it has a magazine capable of holding more than two cartridges. These are known as "pump-action" or "semi-automatic" shotguns, where cartridges from the magazine are loaded by hand "pumping" the action, or by the discharge of the previous round. These weapons are required to be held on a firearm certificate.

4.4 Boot of the vehicle – means the inside of any vehicle that has been designed for the storage of luggage.

4.5 Responsible person – The holder of the Firearms Certificate relating to the firearms being carried in the vehicle or the passenger/s carrying air guns/air rifles.(New)

5.0 Responsibilities

5.1 Passenger – the responsibility of notifying Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries with the intention of carrying firearm(s)s rests directly with the passenger to whom the firearm(s) belongs.

The passenger shall ensure at time of booking that a firearm is to be carried, and this notification shall be made not less than 24 hours in advance of travel.

The passenger shall at time of check in identify themselves to either the check in staff or the security staff.

5.2 Call Centre Staff – it is the responsibility of the member of staff making the booking that if informed by the passenger that they wish to carry firearms that a note is posted to the scratch pad. 

5.3 Security – shall be responsible for ensuring the passenger has a valid certificate and that the serial number(s) on that certificate correspond to those on the firearm(s).

It is the responsibility of Security to ensure that the Superintendent is notified of any passengers carrying firearms.

5.4 Superintendent - shall be responsible for ensuring the Master is notified of any passengers carrying firearms.

6.0 Transportation

6.1 Ammunition of any kind is not permitted.

6.2 On arrival at Port of Loading, and provided that prior notification has been received, the firearms must be declared to Security personnel on entering a Restricted Area (RA)

6.3 Only persons booked under a passenger booking (See exceptions) may carry firearms and only under certain conditions.

6.4 Details of firearm(s) must be advised to Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries 24 hours prior to date of travel.

6.5 Firearms must be documented on a valid firearms certificate validated by the Chief Constable in which area the holder resides.  (A resident of England, Scotland or Wales who wishes to bring a firearm to Northern Ireland must have already notified Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) of their intention and sought approval to do so from the Chief Constable.  The individual would then travel with his own Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate and the Certificate of Approval).  See attached.

6.6 Foot passengers and freight drivers will NOT be allowed to carry firearms under any circumstances.

6.7 Persons traveling in ‘4x4’ vehicles, ‘people carriers’, estates, hatchbacks or similar vehicles will be permitted to carry firearms/air guns/air rifles provided that;

• The responsible person has ensured that the lid or cover of the load carrying area is in place and/or that the guns are so covered or concealed to prevent their identification

6.8 The holder will be asked to provide photographic identification and a valid firearms certificate will be required and that the vehicle is moved away to an area away from general view.

6.9 Security will ask the holder to open the boot and the case containing the firearm.

6.10 Security will ask the holder to show the weapon in such a way that Security personnel can see the serial/registration number and they will check that the number on the firearm is the same as that recorded on the firearms certificate. (Be aware there may be more than one firearm recorded on the certificate but not all will be present). 

6.11 Security personnel MUST NOT handle the firearm

6.12 If all is in order then the Superintendent on duty will be informed who will then advise the Master.

6.13 Any vehicle containing firearms should not be left unattended at any time and its movement controlled with the Restricted Area.

6.14 Once a vehicle is on board the vessel. It and its passengers should remain under close supervision to ensure that the firearms are not removed from the vehicle.  This should continue until all passengers have left the vehicle deck.

6.15 If possible, the bolt or other operating part should be separated from the firearm and either carried on the person or hidden in the vehicle, or kept in a locked container ideally secured to the vehicle if practicable.

7.0 Exemptions

7.1 Military movements are exempt from certain requirements and will have an escort/ guard with any weapons being carried en masse.

7.2 During the voyage it may be requested by the Officer in Charge of the Party or the Captain/Chief Officer of the vessel, that a member of the military party accompany the crewmember to check the security of the vehicles, in which the firearms are being held.  This will be at the sole discretion of the Master of the vessel.

7.3 It is suggested that the Officer in charge of the party make personal contact with the Master to discuss any arrangements to be made during the voyage.

7.4 The Officer in charge of the party will advise the Superintendent of the vehicle carrying firearms for stowage purposes.

7.5 VIP’s may be accompanied by police protection and may be carrying firearms, usually handguns.  Police Officers traveling from Northern Ireland to the mainland for duty purposes may be required to carry a firearms(s). They will be required to declare that they are armed and have a valid firearms certificate with them and also a Section 5 Authority, issued by the Home Secretary authorizing the carriage of Prohibited Weapons under the GB legislation.  In these instances the weapons will of course not be locked in vehicles, but will remain on the person.  Prior notice should be given and the Master informed.

7.6 Passengers in possession of air guns/air pistols, as described in The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 may be carried provided the transportation guidelines mentioned above in paragraph 6.7 are followed

Link to website: http://www.norfolkline.com/EN/About/Terms