The seafarer claimed that his request had been declined and that he had been instructed to either take the available medicine or to signoff at his own expense. [Answer] How To Improve Vessel Performance Through Trim Optimisation. In late March, the Master and crew of a bulk carrier, all of Indian nationality,grew increasingly worried thatunloading cargowould expose them to considerable risks of COVID-19 infection. He had been relieved by his company and repatriated and was very thankful to you for the efforts you had shown for my welfare. IMO shared the good news with stakeholders, and on 14 June, it was thanked by a Deputy Minister of the port State for its continuous effort in giving full protection to our seafarers.. Furthermore, it accused the agent of ignoring all attempts made to contact them, both by the private maritime security company and the ships Master. Learn how your comment data is processed. Within three days the coastal State confirmed the ship could contact its MRCC to arrange emergency repatriation, and that the ship's agent could make the necessary arrangements. Transportation links remain limited in many areas and airlines may have their own individual requirements for testing prior to boarding an aircraft. The deputy minister of one of the port State's authorities also wrote to IMO to confirm the evacuation. The SCAT immediately contacted the seafarer's trade union organization and the maritime authorities of the flag, port and seafarer States concerned. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The refusal to grant permission was based on an earlier decision communicated to the Embassy of the deceased seafarer. The seafarer messaged SCAT again on 2 February and wrote that in addition to being concerned for his own welfare, medical assistance "is a vital part of our industry. Handwashing, physical distancing and good respiratory etiquette must be observed and a medical facemask may be advised. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it incredibly difficult to facilitate crew changes on ships and despite collaboration and cooperation with many stakeholders in the industry, this problem still remains unresolved and there are still around 200 000 odd seafarers estimated to be trapped on board.. Getting replacement crew has become a huge task for any shipowner/manager.. Although he sustained serious injuries the seafarer fortunately survived, but the incident had a profound psychological impact on seafarers across the fleet. The Crew Enhanced Quarantine International Programme, or #CrewEQUIP for short, was launched between the International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC), the International Chamber of Shipping . Seafarer documentations extension are given as follows: - The IMHA recommended quarantine and testing requirements for seafarers joining a ship are attached on the right. After completing a crew change, Captain Angelo Capurro joined the MV Ital Libera in South Africa leaving for a two-week journey across the Indian Ocean. The presence of antibodies cannot be used in this scenario as they cannot be detected until 7 to 14 days after infection and even then, questions remain about their reliability and what it means for future immunity. On 13 June, IMO received an update from the seafarer. On 24 April 2022, a Third Engineer e-mailed IMO requesting its assistance. As a result, the seafarers endured an uncomfortable night between the airports arrival gate and immigration control. Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps confirmed to Nautilus that seafarers would be exempt from quarantine measures announced on May 10 2020 by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. At the height of the pandemic some 400,000 seafarers were stranded on ships beyond the end of their original contracts and unable to be repatriated, due to COVID-related travel restrictions. Responding on the same day, the flag State reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention were strictly adhered to throughout its fleet and offered its assistance. However, after applying to revalidate it for a fourth time, he was informed that he had accrued insufficient sea-time. There aren't much documents needed and the necessary ones are the flight itinerary, OHP QR Code and RT-PCR Test. SCAT received a further message from the seafarer on 16 March. In addition, the intended port State announced that it had also initiated an investigation. You may be required to undergo an RT-PCR test. IMO contacted representatives from the national government while ILO offered to prepare an intervention letter. Shipping has the capacity to redesign and reimburse their vessels into a more utility driven product. Nautilus International and the UK Chamber of Shipping jointly produced a special 'guidance letter' in 2020 for seafarers arriving at UK ports supporting their exemption from the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in the UK. On 4 November 2021, IMO received a request for assistance from a seafarer working on board a Dive Support Vessel operating in the Black Sea. He signed off writing, "I am afraid that my rights as a seafarer and a human being is ceased. Upon arrival in the port where they are to join a ship, seafarers should quarantine for 2 weeks in suitable accommodation, preferably ashore, arranged and paid for by the shipping company. CRM1.1 Legislation and seafarers Most seafarers are covered by section 8 (1) of the immigration act 1971 rather than the Immigration Rules because they are in transit (under contract) to join a. Although a shore doctor did visit him, the appointment resulted only in the seafarer being prescribed more painkillers, and a muscle relaxant. Between 2 and 15 July 2020, over 350 seafarers were repatriated, whilst most of the remainder agreed to serve as skeleton crew on board five of the cruise ships. Crew Exchange Notification Note Without Quarantine Procedure. The ship's next port of call was in the Middle East with the vessel expected to arrive on 21 September. This is an unmanned ER. A seafarer from Bangladesh messaged the IMO Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) on 13 January 2022 with a desperate plea to rescue me from here. IMO thanked stakeholders for contributing to the successful outcome and thanked the port State, in particular, for its continued support in safeguarding seafarer welfare. IMO duly referred the matter again on 7 June but, as the ship was already underway to its next port call, the correspondence was addressed to a representative of the intended port State in southeast Asia, rather than the previous port State in northern Asia. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On 14 October the Third Officer messaged SCAT to thank it for its help. The Philippines responded on the same day. A chief officer was suffering tremendous pain due to a swelling that was spreading from his gum to the left side of his face and part of his neck. The NMA considers these guidelines to be consistent with the IMO protocols for safe crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on testing and quarantine protocols for arriving . The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while the passengers are in facility quarantine. Our thoughts are now focused on [his] health, and we extend the best wishes of maritime unions worldwide to him and his family for his speedy recovery.. #CrewEQUIP will create a list of trusted hotels available for crew quarantines that are independently reviewed. The flag State replied on 13 January 2022 and wrote that it "does not entertain such situations onboard and undertook to investigate the matter further. . The seafarer was finally able to report positive news on 2 March 2022. The port State also confirmed all parties had agreed to facilitate sign-off at the earliest opportunity. The tests themselves are reported to be up to 95% sensitive but some tests are more accurate than others. PROTOCOL ON CREW CHANGE AND REPATRIATION OF SEAFARERS | Page 8of 9 III. Whilst the Second Engineer had been placed in isolation on board, the remaining crew believed that others "who are still in the incubation period are still in great danger. Upon receiving the ITF Inspector's email, SCAT circulated an urgent request for repatriation on compassionate grounds to relevant States and NGOs in consultative status with IMO. The seafarer suggested that the cumulative impact of these disappointments had reduced morale on board the ship and their feelings of hopelessness were exacerbated by the alleged behaviour of their manning agency. On 14 June the seafarer sent a final message stating he felt "safe that concerned shipping authorities are helping seafarers all over the world in their crucial time of COVID pandemic. manila - the department of transportation (dotr), through the maritime industry authority (marina), has outlined the procedures on ship crew changes and on the repatriation of seafarers in foreign-registered or philippine-registered vessels docked in international ports or seaports under the jurisdiction of the philippines amid the coronavirus If quarantine in the port or country of joining a ship is not possible, seafarers may quarantine for 2 weeks in their home country, prior to travel. Again testing should be done at the beginning and end of this quarantine period prior to travel. Hence, DOTr partnered with 2GO in preparing quarantine facilities. A seafarer onboard a container ship sent a call for help to IMO on 12 April 2020. Following this swift intervention from IMO, the port State confirmed it would take the necessary measures to facilitate crew change while the ship was in its port or terminal, and the seafarer was able to go home and be reunited with his family. It called on two UN agencies, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), to intervene urgently at government level to ensure international conventions were respected so the seafarer could receive the immediate medical attention that his life depended on. The request noted that it was "tragic and incredible that after all this time, it has not been possible to repatriate the master's body". On 24 December 2021, the Marine Director messaged relevant parties with heartening news, the seafarers had safely boarded their repatriation flight and were due to land within a few hours. "We have meals, everything is okay, but the main thing is our psychological health", the seafarer told IMO's Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) in his first email. He had held a Certification for Engineer Officers of the Watch (EOOW), unlimited, since May 2002, and had successfully revalidated his Certificate of Competency (CoC) on three occasions. World Maritime University (WMU) and IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), A seafarer repatriated to assist her vulnerable relatives, Repatriated after more than 100 days offshore, Reuniting father and daughter after 8 months at sea, Relief at repatriation after 5 months extra on board, Repatriating distraught seafarers after operator went bankrupt, Assisting a young mother during a round-the-world effort to return home, Repatriating a seafarer's body to his family, Mass repatriation of seafarers onboard cruise ships, Working together to repatriate a seafarer's remains after almost 5 months, Repatriating a maritime security employee from a hotel ship, Assisting cadets affected by crew change crisis, Ensuringfive seafarers were treated equally, Responding to the call for help of a seafarer's wife, Response to a seafarer's desperate plea to be rescued, Helping seafarers stuck in an airport on their repatriation journey, Spectacular rescue of a seafarer suffering a stroke, Fear for seafarer's mental health and safety after 14 months, Coordinating medical care for a stricken seafarer, Helping a seafarer with a medical condition to be relieved by his company, Helping an Oiler to be signed off due to his ill-health, Urgent assistance to manage a COVID-19 outbreak onboard, SCAT assistance with vaccines, visas and repatriation after 20 months at sea, Immediate action for urgent medical assistance to crew members affected by a suspected outbreak of COVID-19, Advising and helping a distraught crew of a bulk carrier, Ensuring a safe working environment amid the pandemic, Combating coercion to extend crew contracts, Preventing seafarers from becoming the victims of commercial disputes, Addressing living conditions and general welfare issues onboard aship, Assisting a seafarer with the renewal of his CoC after the COVID-19 pandemic, Assisting a Third Engineer with the revalidation of his CoC impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, on 29 September, the relevant P&I Club emailed all parties to confirm that the master's body had been taken ashore for autopsy and would hence be repatriated. Like many seafarers, the cadets were also concerned about the threat COVID-19 posed to their families and said they were needed at home "in the time of difficulty". (ECDC) have updated their joint Aviation Health Safety Protocol providing clear operational guidance and risk-based recommendations for health-safe air travel to complement the European Union's initiatives, such . IMO acknowledged the message and thanked all stakeholders for their support and decisive action in addressing the concerns raised by the seafarers. As part of the measures being taken to help contain and prevent the outbreak, returning OFWs, seafarers, and other repatriates are required by health authorities to take a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Furthermore, he was by now under the impression that it might take up to three more months for it to be granted. By now, everyone is aware of the plight of the thousands of seafarers around the world who are either stuck on board ships even after their contract has expired or stuck in countries other than their own due to COVID-19 or in quarantine currently.. After the intervention of the Embassy of the Philippines in the port State, the seafarers were granted permission to depart Southern Africa and flew to South Asia on the first leg of their repatriation. He confirmed he had been transferred to hospital the day before and diagnosed with bronchitis, and that he expected to receive the result of a PCR test on 15 October. A surveyor and PSC officer had been assigned to investigate the incident and the alleged subsequent breaches of safety and labour regulations. Vaccinated Passengers This website uses cookies to improve your experience. On 23 December 2021, the IMO Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) received a message from the Marine Director of a non-governmental organization (NGO) requesting urgent assistance. The seafarer felt there was no justification for keeping him on board the ship and, on 12 August 2020, he requested assistance from IMO's Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) to facilitate his repatriation during the ship's next port call. The SCAT referred the seafarer to the relevant national maritime administration and trade unions, while also bringing the matter to the attention of the flag and port States concerned. We really appreciate your involvement and concern, which have been reassuring when facing such a difficult set of circumstances.". We are proud of IMO. A reduction of the quarantine time must be part of a full risk assessment of the crew change policy and an approval by a competent authority or person. The NGOs regional office had continued to work diligently with agencies in both the seafarer and port States but was unable to agree an approach that would not require the seafarers to be re-routed via another State and undergo an additional period of quarantine, due to the expiry of their PCR test results. On 14 May 2020, IMO received information about an emergency situation onboard a cargo vessel at anchor. After reviewing the particulars of the case, IMO SCAT responded to the seafarer and referred the matter to the flag, port, and seafarer States, and NGOs in consultative status to IMO, for their urgent attention and action, as appropriate. The seafarer wrote:Our vessel now is still ongoing inspection. This is because they have regular ports of call. Contrary to the owner/agent's opinion, the port State had declared its willingness to permit the crew change, providing it received an official request. The seafarer, who had worked for the company for over two years, first messaged his employer in November of the preceding year to complain that he had worked for five months beyond his contract, without signing an extension. But her plan to fly home mid-March was derailed. The next day, the seafarers condition worsened. It hoped "this solution would be a balanced and reasonable one for all involved." The seafarer emailed her thanks to SCAT and said she was so thankful to be with my family. Seafarer's voices have been heard and there is already engagement at the UN level to have consistent policies to facilitate crew repatriation. Despite repeated requests from the vessels captain, the seafarers national trade union and that of the country the ship was headed for, the ship could not enter port. Seafarers should be tested at Day 3 to 5 after arrival in the country and at the end of this period of quarantine. I am speaking this from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of other seafarers who are not well informed of their rights and are experiencing this kind of situation who cannot speak up against their company. Although he had been told to wait three weeks for his application to be approved, he had still not received his visa. We want to sincerely thank [the local union] and the ITF for their assistance, and the ILO and IMO for their urgent intervention. A nasal pharyngeal swab can be taken by a health care professional or the seafarer can do it themselves, after instruction in person or from a video. David Heindel, chairman of the seafarers section at the ITF, said: 'This is not the first case of a seafarer's body not being returned to their family. However, he offered to forward SCAT's request for assistance to the Foreign Secretary for consideration. Identify the seafarers who will be signing off vessels 5. He had managed to report the incident to the local PSC, but it had declined to board the ship due to COVID-19 protocols. Quarantine Guidelines - Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Home About News Programs and Services Careers DISCLAIMER: All quarantine related regulations herein posted are issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). After several hours of intense discussions, the ship initially received confirmation that the vessel could enter port for the medical transfer to take place. Thank you Sir.. After receiving a worrying update about ongoing delays and the worsening morale of the four guards from the private maritime security company on 2 March 2021, SCAT sent an admonishment to the agent. After exhaustive efforts to resolve the issue, the Embassy ultimately sought SCAT intervention on 16 June 2020. He wrote Your intervention and assistancearehighly appreciated by all crew members. . Ideally, the aviation industry will also accept the policy and thus ensure that no additional tests or periods of quarantine are required in order for the seafarer to travel. a. Facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5 th day and self-monitor until the 14 th day b. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated minor children travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians shall accompany the former until the full-term of the facility-based quarantine Any facility used for the quarantine of seafarers, if not the seafarers home, should provide them with at least three meals a day and access to additional food and drink. Whilst he praised the responsiveness and helpful attitude of the relevant Maritime Port Authority (MPA), he had been unable to submit his application online. The seafarer was worried because his employer was planning to extend crew contracts by another two months. On 28 October 2020, IMOs Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) received an email from a seafarer who recounted an incredible story of endurance and perseverance driven by her desire to return home to loved ones. The seafarers messaged SCAT again on 1 August and stated that their ship had called into port and would remain there for six days; they also described their deteriorating mental condition. It also requested flag, port, and seafarer States, and NGOs in consultative status with IMO, to provide urgent assistance to repatriate the seafarer. Within two hours of SCAT sending the message, the Permanent Representative of Chile wrote to the seafarer, requested his personal details, and undertook to contact the authority in Chile responsible for issuing tourist visas. 11 members of the crew tested positive and those requiring medical assistance were evacuated. During a video consultation, a doctor confirmed that emergency surgery was needed, as the risk of sepsis was very high. This interim paper outline what we believe is a common sense, best practice approach to achieve this aim. The seafarer messaged IMO again on 11 February. MANILA - The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Wednesday issued new procedures, health, and safety protocols for the repatriation of seafarers and crew changes in domestic and international ports in the country in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. After receiving advice from Radio Roma that a seafarer on board one of its ships required hospitalisation, the ship's manager began liaising with the port agent to arrange medical evacuation. He thanked all parties for their cooperation and assistance. The foreign seafarer shall not be allowed to stay anywhere else in the Philippines outside the airport or ship, nor are shore leaves allowed. The established crew members were also concerned that a number of the nucleic acid tests taken by the newcomers had appeared to be void, and further explained that some of the crew had retested three times, using different test kits, with the same outcomes. SCAT immediately reached out to the port and seafarer States and NGOs in consultative status with IMO and asked for their assistance. Copyright 2019 International Maritime Organization (IMO). If no further test is possible (or the result is not available), the seafarer should follow shipboard self-distancing (SSD) for the first 14 days onboard or until a negative test result is available. Many seafarers have found themselves stranded on board due to countries around the world closing their ports to crews during the COVID-19 lockdown. The groups said the programme is urgently needed to avoid the shipping industry returning to the worst extremes of the crew change crisis, which saw 400,000 seafarers trapped working aboard vessels beyond their initial contracts in late 2020, with an equivalent number unable to join vessels and earn income. On 9 August 2020, SCAT received news that the Immigration Authority had issued the requisite visas. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered devastating consequences for human life and the global economy. Conscious of prevailing COVID-19 border controls in the Southeast Asian port State, the manager also notified IMO's Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) on 17 August 2020, in the hope of expediting the evacuation of the stricken seafarer. Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers. IMO referred the case to the flag, seafarer and company registered States, an inter-governmental organization and NGOs on 8 November 2021, and requested their urgent action to resolve the situation. Up to 26 million tonnes of fish are caught each year through illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, according to the FAO. Collectively, the organisations represent more than 80 percent of the global merchant fleet and nearly-one million international seafarers through almost 200 affiliated unions. It also recommended that the seafarer should contact his Embassy, in the port State, for further assistance. On 14 July 2020, IMO was contacted by the distraught daughter of a Second Engineer serving onboard a crude oil tanker. On 8 July, IMO received further correspondence from the Alternate Permanent Representative:the shipowner claimed to have repatriated the crews after paying their salaries. However, they had identified a port State where repatriation was possible and planned to re-route the ship, in order to conduct a crew change. The ship had arrived in port on 17 July 2021, dropped anchor and was awaiting berthing instructions. Those efforts helped resolve the case. The vessel and charterer had requested a doctor visit to the ship five days earlier, but this was refused by custom authorities on the basis of COVID-related restrictions. Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria: Seafarers quarantine - See 1,190 traveler reviews, 985 candid photos, and great deals for Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria at Tripadvisor. Aware that Ukraine had reopened its borders, the increasingly frustrated and tense seafarers also felt powerless because they were concerned about the potential consequences of continuing to request crew change. She wrote to express their collective concerns about repatriation and referred to her fiancs recent experiences to illustrate her point. will be managed by the PCG staff onboard based on the policies and protocols instituted by the Bureau of Quarantine and DOH. These countries live off of our labour to transport the necessary materials needed for the function of their citizens and economy but when it's not convenient they turn their backs on us without a care.'. The cumulative stress of confinement and the uncertainty about repatriation drove one desperate seafarer to attempt suicide on 19 May. IMO received a request for information from a seafarer working in East Asia on 3 January 2022. All seafarer/sea marshal operations including quarantine measures of seafarers/sea marshals arriving via seaports should be done adhering to the provisions in standard operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Health. Three days later, the port State undertook to forward the information to the relevant local authorities so they could investigate the matter. Shoreside are a bigger risk of giving the virus to us then us them! In her email, she explained that her father had already served almost eight months at sea even though he was originally "supposed to sign off at the end of February 2020". It said that regardless of nationality, disembarking seafarers shall proceed to the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) facility for briefing and verification of documents. 1. The e-form automatically calculated sea-time and, as a result, the system had repeatedly rejected his application because he had not served the requisite time at sea. Maintain distance from others in your home and wear a mask when you cannot. A disgruntled seafarer wrote to IMO on 12 May 2022, and asked for its assistance to address an acute and delicate medical condition he had been enduring since April 2022. The company claimed its attempts had been thwarted by local authorities in Asia who, despite appearing to permit crew changes, were exercising different measures for foreign and national crew. ", On 5 February SCAT received a further message from the seafarer. This will put us all at additional risk. The ex-crew is thankful to you and all theauthorities that made this system work.. Despite trying to work through the pain and discomfort, the seafarer ultimately requested sign-off and repatriation as his condition had continued to worsen. Seafarers should be tested at Day 3 to 5 after arrival in the country and at the end of this period of quarantine. Links to relevant industry better practice guidelines were forwarded to the crew, and the flag and port States, in tandem with appropriate IGO and NGO stakeholders, were alerted to the situation. BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN. With the help of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the shipowners, Italia Marittima applied to several countries to disembark the body so it could be returned to the family immediately. A second proposed crew change was also cancelled in July and the crew were informed it would be rearranged for when the ship was in drydock. The remains of a seafarer have finally been delivered to his family two months after he died, after several countries refused to allow the disembarkation of his remains because of Covid protocols. Two days later the consulate confirmed the shipowner had applied for the seaman visas and that it was actively engaging with local authorities to facilitate their issue. They confirmed that their Embassy in Southern Africa hadalready given advice to the seafarers manning agency, and that their Embassy in the (air)port State and their local Labour Office were also in indirect communication with the seafarers and coordinating with relevant agencies at home. IMO's Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) has been working to help resolve individual cases, alongside other organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Liner services are preferred by businesses that have cargo for regular or frequent dispatches, while those organizations that do not have regular shipments normally go for tramp services. He started his homeward journey on 23 March, and on 24 March 2022 he messaged to confirm that he was "finally reunited with my family" after 20 months, and "will be eternally grateful to you and your team for all your support.". A seafarer's fianc, who had not seen her betrothed for over 14 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emailed the IMOs Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) on 2 November 2020. [27/06/2022] Singapore - MPA - Port Marine Circular - Crew Change for Cargo Ships in the port of Singapore and Application for Vaccination - Click Here [07/04/2022] ICS - COVID-19: Seafarer Shore Leave Policy - Click Here [04/04/2022] Singapore - MPA - Updates on Crew Change in Singapore - Click Here [01/04/2022] Hong Kong - Updated Summary Table of Quarantine Arrangement . The 14-day quarantine requirement for Chinese crew prior to boarding repatriation flights has proved to be a major headache for ship managers as many countries require seafarers to board a flight . The protocols emphasize the need for governments to designate seafarers as key workers, providing an essential service, IMO said in a statement. He had held a Certification for Engineer Officers of the Watch (EOOW), unlimited, since May 2002, and had successfully revalidated his Certificate of Competency (CoC) on three occasions. Global Voyager Assistance, a remote medical assistance provider, confirmed the stroke diagnosis. The private maritime security company alleged that the agent was seeking to exploit the urgency of the situation for financial gain. SCAT responded immediately; the port State was requested to provide urgent medical assistance, and the flag State, IGOs and NGOs, in consultative status to IMO, were notified. "We are all feeling the strains of the long period offshore especially having no end date in sight. The flag State and seafarer State quickly contacted the shipowner/operator and within two days they received favourable news; visas and flights for the relievers had been organised and they would travel to the ships next destination to await its arrival. The Joint Circular, which takes effect upon signing today, is created by the Philippine government to ensure that seafarers are accorded speedy and safe travel, subject to health protocols mandated by the Philippine government, including safe and swift disembarkation and crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the new protocols, passengers arriving in the Philippines are required to take swab tests on the sixth day from arrival date at a quarantine facility or hotel accredited by the government. On 26 January 2022 the flag State informed IMO that it had received confirmation from the owner/operator that the seafarer had signed-off the ship and forwarded a copy of the crew handover report and confirmed itinerary as evidence of the date when the seafarer would be repatriated. I will share also the food that they served,swab test and new. SCAT immediately set about notifying the relevant States and other maritime stakeholders to seek their urgent assistance on humanitarian grounds. To complicate matters the seafarers PCR test results expired on 23 December 2021, and they were not permitted to travel to a test centre to undergo further tests. On the same day, it was able to report that Port Health Authority officials had boarded the ship and tested all the crew using the IMO COVID-19 Protocol. I am now in desperate need of your assistance.". Theflag State was invited to mediate a solution with the Masterand the shipowner, and an agreement was reachedon7April. They have moved into the living accommodation of the ship, and there is no way to prevent the epidemic now." If you develop symptoms or test positive, immediately self-isolate and get tested. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will also publish a document covering this subject shortly. It is a vital machine during distress for it helps in locating the position of the vessel in case it goes off-track. The case was taken up by the IMOs Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) and referred to the High Commission of the State responsible for validating the CoC, the seafarers State and other interested parties on 26 April. On 20 May, the port State informed SCAT that another member of the crew had tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the actual number of onboard cases to three. Whilst the disruption to crew-change and repatriation arrangements are slowly subsiding as international borders re-open and travel restrictions ease in many regions, the wider effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to reverberate across the maritime sector and to present difficulties for seafarers. Hotels for mandatory quarantine of seafarers. This study revealed incidence rates at 6 months into the . Login to your member area to update your details, find your organiser and much more. As long as the COVID-19 test result was negative, he would be taken to hospital for the surgery he urgently needed. He wrote: "Instead of getting proper diagnosis and treatment I have just felt disappointment, stress, anxiety, frustration and pain which is not getting better as time flies by. 159 laid out new guidelines for entering travelers as long as they met certain requirements listed below. Ships crew is very concerned about exposure to shore personnel during cargo operations, as it is impossible to maintain total isolation, the shipmaster and 19 crew members said in a lettertransferred to IMO on 1 April. The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor's vaccination status, and country of origin. After losing contact with her seafarer, the fianc emailed SCAT and expressed that "We were worried sick and they were so stressed there. The flag State echoed the seafarer's appreciation and thanked the parties involved in securing his vaccination. The seafarer's fianc thanked SCAT and said "It is of great privilege to address to you our gratitude for the immediate actions you have made for the good sake of our seafarer family". These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If they are to board within 3 days of arriving in a country this test is probably not worthwhile. Thanks to the efficient cooperation between the local seafarers union and the port State, the seafarer was allowed to fly home on 12 April. More than 80% of global trade by volume is moved by maritime transport. SCAT responded to the seafarers' Embassy and its suggestion to convene a teleconference was readily accepted. It also confirmed that it would revert back when more information became available. The trade union, in turn, contacted the ship's management company and liaised with the port State's maritime authority, in this case the Chilean Maritime Authority, to resolve the matter. The seafarer was then already for longer than one year on board. Believing the seafarer's predicament resolved, SCAT unexpectedly received a further communication on 1 February 2022. The seafarer agreed with the proposal to effect crew change later in the month. IMO SCAT commended the High Commission, and through it the relevant MPA, for its efforts to assist the seafarer. After enduring months of uncertainty, 17 distraught seafarers contacted their trade union on 15 June 2021 to report that they were mentally, physically and emotionally tired of working. A British seafarer was desperate to be reunited with her family after months working on a passenger ship in the Pacific. His contract, which was due to finish at the end of March, had been extended for another month. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) announced a series of new protocols for all seafarers before allowing entry into the Philippines. This was confirmed by the private maritime security company and its representative said I thank you all for your attention and involvement. You may call the BOQs landline at (02) 5318-7500, or through these mobile numbers: 0961-899-0779, 0951-210-8105, or 0926-629-0723. IMO acknowledged the response but noted that the port State had an obligation to ensure seafarers are able to exercise their right to repatriation (MLC, 2006 Standard A2.5.1,paragraphs 7 and 8). A similar number of seafarers were stuck at home, unable to join ships and provide for their families. A lack of a floating craneat an Asian portmeant thatthe ship personnelwerefaced with taking 60 stevedores on boardfor three weekswithout any screening on COVID-19 symptoms. In the current epidemiological situation, quarantine or systematic testing for SARS-CoV-2 of air travellers is not recommended. On 13 June 2022 the delighted seafarer informed IMO that his CoC had duly been revalidated on 4 June. . The other port State also responded positively to SCAT's request and confirmed that the issue had been relayed to the appropriate authorities. On 7 September 2020, IMOs Seafarer Crisis Action Team (SCAT) received a request to Help the Sailors! from the despondent wife of an exhausted Ukrainian seafarer. Texas Pipeline Company Fined Millions for Illegal Oil Discharge, Early 2022-23 Contract Discussions Witness Surge in Container Rates, Russia Raises Concerns Over Oil Tankers Build In Bosphorus, Marine Group Issues Invitation To Study Best Liquefied CO2, Waterfront Shipping Enters Into Time-Charter Agreement With Trafigura. [Watch] Great Engine Room Tour of a Product Tanker, [Watch] Casting a Gigantic Propeller at 1,800F. Re-joining his ship in late January 2022, the seafarer presented the shore doctor's report but once again felt rebuffed by the ship's doctor. The seafarer's health was deteriorating every day, and he was already very weak and unable to move. The seafarer and another crew member were able to return home safely in May. The flag State informed stakeholders on 17 May that it had reached out to the Registered Owner, Operator and Local Resident Agents to investigate and remedy the situation on board the vessel;and on 18 May the port State shared the findings of its investigation:four crew members with expired contracts had been identified, and all had expressed their desire to be signed-off. The flag State and NGOs were simultaneously notified of the action it had taken. While the seafarer recognised that he and his colleagues were not in a critical situation physically, he described serious impacts on their mental health. The Ministry unsuccessfully appealed to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines, and South Africa. Conscious that the original decision might be upheld, SCAT, working in conjunction with ILO, sought to identify other contingencies. Liner []. Fully vaccinated Sri Lankan seafarers arriving via airports SCAT also notified the relevant authorities and maritime stakeholders and asked them to take urgent action. December 16, 2021 479 Shipowners, seafarers' unions and maritime employer groups are establishing their own approved international network of quarantine facilities to ensure seafarers can safely join ships, despite unpredictable changes to government border policies, reads an ICS press release. Citing pandemic-related precautionary measures, even though the master had not presented COVID-19 symptoms prior to his death, a succession of twelve port States across Southeast Asia, East Asia and Southwest Asia refused permission to disembark his body between 19 April and 31 August. The cadet had joined his ship on 21 December 2020 on a 10+2-month contract and, despite requesting sign-off on 22 October 2021, he had been required to remain on board for nearly one month after his extended contract end-date. The seafarer explained that whilst his family resided in Chile they were, in fact, "immigrants in irregular status" from a neighbouring country. Increasingly concerned about their mental and physical wellbeing, and galvanised by suicide attempt, the Embassy redoubled its efforts to assist them. However, the local PSC did detain the ship for six days in order to allow for repairs, but the seafarer said the Master had yet to authorise the work. Box 220, Skyen, N-0213 Oslo. A similar case involves the Romanian master of the general cargo ship Vantage Waved, who died of cardiac arrest onboard in April. The vessel had put to sea at the end of April and its crew had not interacted with anyone else since leaving port. As a result, he had only served 10 months at sea, whereas he required a minimum of 12 months to revalidate his CoC again. COVID-19 is an unprecedent crisis with a steep learning curve. In line with the advice received from the port State, IMO also wrote to the seafarer on 13 May, and suggested that he consider approaching the Consular Affairs section of his Embassy to see if it could render any assistance, whilst IMO continued to liaise with the port and flag States. It requested SCAT's intervention to expedite the provision of urgent medical care. Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card. However, on 18 January the seafarer messaged SCAT and explained that a hospital doctor had refused to administer the vaccine despite the company's local agent having made the necessary arrangements. He also submitted several reports to his company recounting symptoms such as fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate and panic attacks. He also wrote that his principal blamed him for the incident that caused the damage and was planning to let me disembark without completion of my contract. On 1 December 2020, after an 11 month around-the-world odyssey, the seafarer was finally reunited with her loved ones. SCAT received further correspondence from the crew on 23 May 2022 thanking it for its "advice and the help given". Identify the seafarers who will be signing on vessels. "this new quarantine facility programme will give industry more confidence to support the movement of more seafarers more regularly around the world safe in the knowledge that there is a considerably less risk of covid-19 being introduced to a vessel if a seafarer has joined via a crewequip-approved facility, where the highest standards will Seek their urgent assistance on humanitarian grounds PCG staff onboard based on the policies and protocols instituted by the staff! A doctor confirmed that emergency surgery was needed, as the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered consequences... Arrive on 21 September the COVID-19 test result was negative, he was already very weak and unable move. 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