The International Group, in partnership with shipping industry associations, published guidance to address major concerns and expectations of ship’s crews and shorebased personnel through the implementation of practical, risk-based measures to address COVID-19 risks to all personnel involved in the ship/shore interface.
Risk management
Appropriate control measures should be established to ensure that risks and impacts are managed to a tolerable level, and proportionate measures are established to reduce, control and manage the risks that Covid-19 poses to all persons.
Communication
As part of the risk management and control process it is recommended that before arrival in port the ship communicates its requirements related to COVID-19 risk management to all the anticipated service providers and port officials expected to attend on board during the port call, which may be coordinated through the ship’s port agent if appropriate.
It is also recommended that prior to arrival in port the shore-based service providers and port officials communicate their requirements related to COVID-19 risk management to the ship, again this may be coordinated by the ship’s port agent if appropriate.
Shipping companies
In accordance with the ISM Code shipping companies must assess all identified risks to their ships and personnel and establish appropriate safeguards normally documented in their Safety Management Systems (SMS).
Therefore, shipping companies should have developed for each of their ships detailed plans and procedures related to different aspects and risks associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) including the identified risks and associated mitigation from the interface of crews with shorebased personnel as part of the ship’s operations.
The risk-based procedures and guidance documented, should be based on the latest guidance related to COVID-19 from WHO, International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) and the ship’s flag State requirements as appropriate.
Shore-based service providers
Organisations providing shore-based service providers to ships, such as agents, chandlers, inspectors, pilots, stevedores, surveyors, service engineers etc, should implement risk-based procedures and guidance for their employees related to COVID-19 within their internal procedures, based on the latest guidance from WHO, IMHA and local port and national requirements as appropriate.
Port, immigration and customs authorities
Authorities responsible for Immigration Officers, Customs Officers, Port State Control Inspectors etc, should implement risk-based procedures and guidance for their employees related to COVID-19 within their internal procedures, based on the latest guidance from WHO, IMHA and local port and national requirements as appropriate.
Simple steps when on board
If attendance onboard a ship is unavoidable, the following are some simple steps and precautions that should be taken:
- Minimise the number of persons attending
- Use outer walkways rather than access through the crew accommodation.
- Limit time inside crew accommodation to the absolute minimum necessary to perform duties onboard
- Maintain social distancing – preferably 2 meters but at least 1 meter apart and limit interaction with crew members to those involved in performance of duties onboard
- Do not shake hands, use a wave, a nod or a bow
- Frequently clean your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub
- Provide sanitising stations at appropriate locations e.g. the ship’s gangway, entry points to accommodation, the bridge, control rooms
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- If wearing a face mask, be sure it covers your mouth and nose
- Do not touch a face mask once it is on
- Immediately safely discard single-use masks after each use
- Clean your hands after removing masks
After the visit
In the 14 days after a ship visit, if either any shore-based person attending onboard a ship or any of the ship’s crew develop the COVID-19 symptoms, there is then a moral duty to contact those who may have been infected as a result to disclose this information.
If the industry is to act properly and responsibly in minimising the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this communication is essential and should form part of the mutually agreed requirements related to risk management and control of COVID-19 prior to boarding any ship.
