Maritime and Coastguard Agency releases Covid-19 response
The MCA has released a contingency plan and guidelines for seafarers on areas of operation which may be affected by Covid-19, including joining and repatriation of seafarers from vessels, Safe Manning Document (SMD) and exemptions to SMD, Certificate of Competency where a seafarer is unable to disembark a vessel, shipowner liability, and more.
The areas affected by the Covid-19 and the strategy implementation by countries affected by it is constantly evolving.
Many governments have now introduced national and local restrictions including:
- Delayed port clearance
- Prevention of crew or passengers from embarking or disembarking (preventing shore leave and crew changes)
- Prevention of discharging or loading cargo or stores, or taking on fuel, water, food and supplies
- Imposition of quarantine or refusal of port entry to ships (in extreme cases).
Countries have resorted to screening passengers at airports, and various ports have implemented pre-boarding screenings, including mandatory health check questionnaire tests with a thermal scan machine. The master should contact the local port authority to ensure if crew repatriation is available.
The full response is available online.
Get up-to-date information about the situation in the UK.
Additional information relevant to the maritime industry from International Maritime Health Association.
World Health Organisation‘s guide, International Maritime Organisation International Chamber of Shipping.
(The list is not considered exhaustive.)
