Guidelines applicable for all ports
The Swedish P&I Club has recently sent out a loss prevention notice following a “scare” on a vessel carryingstowaways that arrived in South Africa. The Club reports that the vessel was notquarantined as it pushed to have the stowaways checked and blood samples drawn inorder to avoid any delays to the vessel.
Since the incident, Club has been speaking to Port and Immigration authorities as well asliaising with the South African Association of Ships Agents as numerous vessels call atSouth Africa after discharging cargoes or receiving cargoes in West Africa.Cape Town, for example, is a common port for removing injured or sick crewmembers or forremoving an repatriating stowaways.
As a result of the Ebola Virus and the number ofvessels calling at South African ports, Transnet National Ports Authority as now issued thefollowing guidelines which will be applicable for all ports.
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Procedure to prevent the spread of any contagious disease
- Prior to boarding a vessel call up Port Control and confirm Free Pratique has beenreceived and also enquire about last three ports of call. Security to also check with ISPSpre-arrival notification.
- Upon boarding confirm Health Status of crew with Master.
- For high risk vessels (that is vessels that have been to West Africa or where the shiphas a West African connection) ensure that you are wearing face mask and hand gloves.
- For the warning period all South African Citizens are to refrain from consuming foods orliquids on board vessels from high risk areas. Gifts involving foods should also not beaccepted.
- All off port limit crew transfers from affected areas to be carefully screened – nocrew to be taken off a vessel without Port Health clearance.
- Port health declaration also required for all Off Port Limit transfers.
- All medical evacuations from vessels from affected areas need to be screened by PortHealth before person taken off vessel.
- Captain of the vessel to confirm in writing stowaway sweep was done whendeparting last port – Stowaway search may be requested to be done when alongside at vessels cost using stowaway sweeper companies whose members have undergonetraining and /or awareness on Ebola Virus Disease.
- Security to inform Port Control of any reported stowaways from vessels callingfrom affected areas – if reported vessel to remain at anchor until cleared by PortHealth for entry or advised otherwise.
- All masters of vessels must report stowaways on his vessel if calling fromaffected area – vessel to remain at anchor until stowaways examined & cleared by PortHealth or otherwise advised
- Strict gangway watches to be maintained at all times.
- All members involved in evacuation of infected crew or stowaways must betrained by Port Health on Ebola Virus.
- Separate lists of vessels calling from Ebola affected areas are to be maintained forrecord purposes.
- All galley waste of vessels from affected areas to be incinerated and notaccepted ashore.
- Additional Security to be deployed by Agent of vessel for contaminated vessels and noone must be allowed on board a contaminated vessel except Port Health and only afterclearance can anyone be permitted to enter the vessel.
- If possible contaminated vessels should be allocated an isolated berth away from othervessels.
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Precautions to be taken to prevent infection and spread of virus
- Wear face mask and hand gloves
- Leave on gloves when shaking hands with vessel crew from affected areas
- Sanitise hands frequently
- Avoid contact with people showing signs and symptoms indicated above
- Avoid consuming foods and other products.
- Do not utilise the facilities on board.
- Do not make contact with bodily fluids
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It is therefore imperative that vessels arriving in the hotspot region must have preventativemeasures in place so that the virus does not infect the crew and the cause the ship and crew to be quarantined at subsequent ports. For example, no stores or provisions to be taken onboard and the crew should remain on board throughout the port stay.
All visitors to the shipshould be screened. Ships coming from West Africa and then calling at SouthAfrican ports are going to be screened and checked prior to berthing and therefore memberstrading in West Africa, especially liner and feeder vessels in the container trade must expectdelays.
Also read loss prevention updated notice here
Source & Image Credit: The Swedish P&I Club
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Find more information on Ebola outbreak in West Africa in articles below:
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