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Updates to Queensland Health Officer public health directive can be found here |
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28 January 2022 | Update 184 Dear maritime colleagues, MSQ's current directions, vessel reporting statistics, as well as the last five daily 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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Frequently Asked Questions – Changes to the Queensland Maritime Protocol |
| With new requirements for international arrivals and updates to the Queensland Maritime Protocol which took effect last week, Maritime Safety Queensland has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document to assist with understanding the changes.
Please find the FAQs here. |
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Updated Queensland Maritime Protocol – Changes to international arrival restrictions |
| The Queensland Chief Health Officer has released a revised Protocol for Maritime Crew, that reflects the changes to the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction. The Protocol for Maritime Crew can be found at Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland | Queensland Health
Effective immediately, shipping agents can cease providing MSQ with Crew Changeover Checklists for fully vaccinated maritime crew. Fully vaccinated maritime crew may enter Queensland without quarantine, subject to a negative COVID test (PCR or Rapid Antigen Test) in the first 24 hours of arrival.
A Crew Change Checklist is required for all unvaccinated seafarers arriving in Queensland either by air or signing off a vessel. A new Crew Change Checklist has been developed and will be released for use as soon as possible.
In summary:
- Fully vaccinated seafarers do not have to quarantine on entering Queensland in line with other International Arrivals, subject to a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen Test in the first 24 hours of arrival. A Crew Change Checklist is NOT required;
- Unvaccinated seafarers must quarantine at government nominated accommodation on entering Queensland for up to 14 days depending on circumstances. Crew must maintain a COVID-safe corridor using endorsed transport providers. A Crew Change Checklist is still required, and must be endorsed by the Regional Harbour Master;
- Days at sea count as time for quarantine purposes, so in the event a seafarer has spent the prerequisite time at sea, there may be no requirement for quarantine when coming ashore;
- Quarantine periods that are required can be taken onboard the vessel; and
- Shore leave is permissible under the same circumstances as for seafarers signing off a vessel (i.e. fully vaccinated maritime crew with a negative COVID test);
- In most circumstances a PCR or Rapid Antigen Test will be required at some point in the processes.
Fully vaccinated means a person who is 16 years of age or older who has received at least the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it has been 7 days since the final dose. COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccine was obtained overseas. The list of Australian recognised COVID-19 vaccines can be found at International COVID-19 vaccines recognised by Australia | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). An unvaccinated maritime crew member includes any person who is not fully vaccinated.
Agents are responsible for ensuring the vaccination status of maritime crew. For fully vaccinated crew, evidence of vaccination must be produced if requested by an Emergency Officer (Public Health). Strict compliance with the Maritime Protocol must continue. Failure to comply with the Maritime Protocol is an offence, for which penalties apply. |
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Maritime Crew who test positive to COVID-19 while in the community |
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| Fully vaccinated maritime crew are now permitted under the Qld Maritime Protocol to take shore leave providing they:- Are fully vaccinated (16 years of age or older who has received at least the prescribed number of doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved or WHO-COVAX endorsed COVID-19 vaccine, and it has been 7 days since the final dose)
- Receive a negative COVID test (PCR or Rapid Antigen test)
Unvaccinated crew may take shore leave if the vessel has spent at least 14 uninterrupted days at sea, with no further port stops and no illness on board, A negative COVID test is also required.
Crew need to remain on board the vessel until the negative COVID test result is received, before being permitted to disembark.
Crew must also ensure that all Federal Government requirements are complied with. |
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| There is no longer a need for fully vaccinated crew (subject to negative COVID test) to seek approval from MSQ or Queensland Health for medical appointments. Shipping agents are responsible for making private arrangements for medical appointments for fully vaccinated crew.
MSQ still requires agents to submit requests for medical appointments for unvaccinated maritime crew, which will be referred to Queensland Health acceptance of appointment. Transport of unvaccinated maritime crew to medical appointments is still required to be undertaken by Queensland Ambulance Service.
If there is a medical emergency – call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Vaccination status does not affect emergency medical treatment |
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Management of COVID-19 on board - ILLAWARRA FORTUNE |
| All 5 positive crew have completed their isolation period and made a full recovery.
The vessel will resume normal operations. |
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Keep up to date for COVID-19 maritime information and updates on MSQ's website.
To receive the daily 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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