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Updates to Queensland Health Officer public health directive can be found here |
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12 November 2021 | Update 178 Dear maritime colleagues,
Please note, as of late October Maritime Safety Queensland's COVID-19 updates will be sent on a fortnightly basis, unless urgent matters or information is required to be shared with industry/stakeholders.
MSQ's current directions, vessel reporting statistics and COVID-19 updates can be found on the MSQ website.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19 Hotspots and Exposure Venues please visit the Queensland Health website. |
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COVID MATTERS MSQ IS MANAGING |
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Removal of Day 16/17 COVID tests
Public Health Directions have been updated to remove the requirement for day 16/17 COVID-19 tests following completion of the 14 day quarantine period.
Vessels of interest
Maritime Safety Queensland managed one vessel of interest this week, whereby a crew member was displaying COVID-19 symptoms. The crew were tested at the Sunshine Coast outer anchorage. The crew member tested negative, and the vessel was permitted to resume normal operations. |
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International Maritime Crew Protocols and Directions |
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The Protocol for Maritime Crew can found?here.?
Requirements for persons boarding ships
International ships are a nominated premises. Time at sea is not counted, and maritime crew on board are subject to full quarantine requirements, regardless of date of departure from last international port.
Shore leave is not permitted. This includes vessels that have been underway for more than 14 days since last overseas port as sea time is no longer counted. Crew are only permitted to disembark a vessel and proceed ashore for medical appointments and crew changes coordinated through MSQ, as well as to the wharf for general vessel operations
Only persons who are critically required for the purpose of safety or operation of the vessel may board the vessel (e.g. pilots, stevedores, specialist technicians, surveyors, Government officials carrying out their duties).
If critically required to board a vessel, workers MUST comply with the precautions as outlined below:- Wear appropriate PPE;
- Maintain physical distancing;
- Sanitise hands frequently and maintain good hygiene;
- Avoid contact/interaction with crew to the greatest extent possible;
- Do NOT stay onboard ship overnight;
- Only to remain on vessel for the time necessary to complete the required work;
- Avoid using shared facilities on the vessel (this includes food cooked on board and eating or drinking from ship cutlery);
- Present for testing if symptoms develop in the following 14 days.
Failure to comply with all of the above requirements may result in mandatory 14 days hotel quarantine.
Compliance with these requirements is critical to protect the lives and livelihoods of port workers and all Queenslanders. |
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Quarantine and Shore Leave for Seafarers |
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Quarantine for Seafarers - Government Hotel Quarantine
All maritime crew must use government quarantine facilities. This is to ensure sufficient security overlay and public health considerations, consistent with Queensland's quarantine requirements.
Further information on Government Hotel Quarantine requirements for seafarers and notices for Shipping agents refer to previous General Manager update.
Shore Leave for Maritime Crew Not Permitted
Under QLD Health Directives and Protocols, shore leave is not permitted. This includes vessels that have been underway for more than 14 days since last overseas port as sea time is no longer counted. Crew are only permitted to disembark a vessel and proceed ashore for medical appointments and crew changes coordinated through MSQ, as well as to the wharf for general vessel operations. |
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Brisbane International Airport |
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Departing Off-SignersWhen arriving at the Brisbane International Airport, off-signing maritime crew must be in possession of, and able to produce, documentation permitting them to enter transit countries and final destinations. Agents must ensure that each mariner is in possession of this documentation including the required number of copies of each document. For example, some destinations in India require 4 copies of certain documents.
It should be noted that failure to have the relevant documentation may result in mariners being turned away by airlines and returned to a quarantine hotel.
Please ensure you are aware of the entry requirements of each country prior to arrival. Arriving On-Signers
Maritime Crew and Transport Operators collecting Maritime Crew at the Brisbane International Airport?must note the pickup locations here.
Maritime Crew will be escorted from the internal staging area to their dedicated transport by Queensland Police/ Australian Defence Force Personnel.?
Please see here notification outlining the process and location of the drop off zone for Mariners, noting there is no change to the current arrivals process and pick up area for arriving crew. |
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International Vessel Movement |
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| Vessel Movement and ExemptionsSince January 31 2020, 24,529 vessels have entered Queensland waters. Over the course of the past 15 days (1200 Thursday 28 October 2021 - 1200 Friday 12 November), 582 vessels have entered Queensland port pilotage areas or Reef and Torres Straits.
Exemptions granted for Vessels
As of 1200 12 November 2021, one vessels currently holds an exemption from the General Managers direction issued as of 18th March and have been able to continue as scheduled.
Since 18 March 2020, 116 requests for exemptions have been received with 100 approved. |
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Completed QLD Crew Changes - Last 14 Days |
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Over the past 15 days, 28 October 2021 - 12 November 2021, 423 international crew have conducted crew changeovers in a Queensland port in accordance with the CHO mandated protocol, these change outs were conducted between 88 ships.
The table below breaks down on signers and off signers for Queensland ports over the last 7 days. MSQ's crew change over report dashboard is updated daily, Monday-Friday at 09:30am and may be used to obtain earlier statistics. |
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Medical Assistance Ashore |
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| Seafarer welfare is in the uppermost of our minds at all times and MSQ is committed to working collectively with all stakeholders to assist with crew changes and medical requirements. With the complexity of the various COVID-19 requirements this can at times be challenging. Agents are reminded of the importance of welfare providers being notified in the event seafarers require hospitalisation ashore. Procedure for: Maritime crew seeking medical attention must be transported by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). QAS services are requested by submitting a MAAT request. Agents are advised to complete the MAAT request and forward along with the Medical request. If QAS are not available, Qld Health may authorise other modes of transport.
Over the past 15 days, 17 seafarers have utilised the 'Non-life threatening medical assistance ashore' process.
Since MSQ commenced the process to assist seafarers travelling ashore for non-COVID health checks and appointments, there have been 686 applications successfully processed to date.
To ensure our seafarers have all the resources they need available to them, Queensland Health has developed a Maritime Crew Support info sheet that has been translated into 9 of the most prevalent languages amongst seafarers |
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Keep up to date for COVID-19 maritime information and updates on MSQ's website.
To receive the MSQ COVID-19 updates, click here to subscribe.
Keep safe,
Andrew Mahon
A/General Manager (Maritime Safety Queensland)
Department of Transport and Main Roads |
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