MPA Singapore: Requirements for shore-based personnel boarding vessels

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued a circular concerning the requirements needed for shore-based personnel that boards vessels at anchorages, shipyards, terminals and marinas in the port of Singapore.

Proof of requisite test results (Rostered Routine Test results or PCR/ART test results) before allowed to go on board a vessel in port

It is noted that any shore-based personnel1 who is going on board a vessel2 must produce proof that he/she has a valid negative test result from a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken as part of the rostered routine testing (RRT) programme, within the last 7 days before boarding the vessel.

In addition, shore-based personnel who are not on a RRT programme will be required to show a valid negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 72 hours prior to boarding the vessel. Proof of the tests may be on paper or by electronic means. The proof of the test must show the date/time of the test and the test result.

Checking in and out using [email protected]; vessels to keep records of shorebased personnel

MPA states that apart from showing proof of the requisite test result, all shore-based personnel must check-in and check-out with [email protected] at the departure points or the waterfront facilities, as appropriate.

Additional requirement for shore-based personnel going on board harbour craft or pleasure craft to do a job

Shore-based personnel who have carried out a job on board an ocean-going vessel in the port of Singapore must not, in the next 7 days, go on board a harbour  craft or pleasure craft, to carry out a job.

Enterprises must not deploy any of their shore-based personnel to do a job on board any harbour craft or pleasure craft where that personnel had gone on board an ocean-going vessel in the past 7 days. The owner, master or agent of the harbour craft or pleasure craft must check that the shore-based personnel coming on board to do a job, must not have been on board an ocean-going vessel in the past 7 days; and the owner, master or agent of the harbour craft or pleasure craft must disallow boarding if the shore-based personnel has been on board an ocean-going vessel in the past 7 days.

Measures for vessels when shore-based personnel are going on board

1. All crew members and shore-based personnel must wear a mask3 at all times (unless the work activity requires that no mask be worn) and, as far as is reasonably practicable, keep a distance of at least one metre apart from each other. In addition, the shore-based personnel are to wear other appropriate personal protective equipment, where necessary, such as gloves and gown,
   without jeopardising operational and personal safety.
2. All crew members must take and record their temperature twice daily.
3. All crew members must maintain good hygiene in the vessel’s accommodation areas by cleaning frequently touched surfaces (e.g. desk, chart tables, dining tables, bridge/engine room consoles, door handles, handholds, switches, telephones/VHF handsets, faucets, etc.)
4. The vessel must have a safe management plan for management of shore-based personnel boarding the vessel. Crew members to be briefed on the plan and to comply with the precautionary measures.
5. Unwell crew members and/or passengers must be isolated onboard the vessel.
6. Shore-based personnel who are unwell must be denied access to the vessel.
7. Records of all embarkation/disembarkation of shore-based personnel must be maintained.
8. Briefing on the safe management measures must be carried out for the shorebased personnel boarding the vessel and/or harbour craft and logged down for record purposes.
9. A responsible officer onboard must be appointed to monitor/ensure the compliance of safe management measures by all crew and shore-based personnel onboard his vessel.
10. Minimise interaction of crew with shore-based personnel as far as reasonably practicable.
11. Designate a separate, clean and disinfected place that is a fully enclosed as a rest area, and dedicated toilets for only shore-based personnel to use.
12. No loitering in the crew living or common areas.
13. Ensure that shore-based personnel do not remain onboard for a longer period than necessary to discharge their duties, and not in any case, stay onboard overnight.
14. Ensure that shore-based personnel do not consume any food or drinks from the ships’ stores.
15. Ensure that the shore-based personnel consumes only his/her own food or beverage that the shore-based personnel brought along, using his/her own utensils.
16. Ensure that shore personnel consume his/her own food or beverage in an area
17. Upon shore-based personnel disembarking the vessel, disinfect the areas that have been used and especially the frequently touched surfaces.
18. National Environment Agency’s guidance for  disinfecting common areas and rooms should be followed.

Measures for shore-based personnel boarding a vessel in the Port of Singapore

1. Must have a valid negative test result from a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test from his/her rostered routine testing (RRT), taken within the last 7 days prior to boarding a vessel;
2. If the shore-based personnel is not enrolled on a RRT programme, he/she must have a valid negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) within 72 hours prior to boarding a vessel. After disembarking, these shore-based personnel must take a PCR test between the 5th and 7th day, and a final PCR test on the 11th day.
3. Must check-in and check-out with [email protected]
4. Must not board a vessel if he/she does not have (a) or (b), or did not check-in with [email protected]; in any case, shore-based personnel who are unwell must not board a vessel.
5. Must always wear a mask4 (unless the work activity requires that no mask be worn). In addition, shore-based personnel are to wear other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, and gown, without jeopardising operational and personal safety.
6. Must minimise interaction with the vessel’s crew, as far as reasonably practicable.
7. Must bring and consume his/her own food and beverages, using his/her own utensils; and consume his/her meals in an area separate, and at a safe distance, from the vessel’s crew.
8. Must not consume any food and beverages from the ships’ stores.
9. Must ensure a safe distance of at least 1 metre between himself or herself and any other individual on board.
10. Must not convene or take part in any gathering when on board except where necessary or in the course of the performance of his or her duties as shorebased personnel.
11. No loitering in the crew living or common areas.
12. Not remain onboard for a longer period than necessary to discharge his or her duties as a shore-based personnel, and not in any case, stay onboard overnight.

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