COVID-19: SUMMARY OF ACTIONS THIS WEEK
SİRKÜLER NO: 6.12 / 693-555 = 28/09/2020
Üyesi bulunduğumuz FONASBA' dan
25.09.2020 tarihinde almış olduğumuz e- posta mesajı aşağıdaki gibidir.
Dear All,
As we have nothing further to report on specific port and crew change
developments in respect of COVID-19 precautions, we are taking the opportunity
of circulating copies of two addresses given by the Secretaries General of the
United Nations, António Guterres and of IMO, Kitack Lim, on the occasion of
World Maritime Day, both of which acknowledge the contribution of shipping to
combatting the effects of the virus and its importance to the post-pandemic
recovery.
We are also pleased to report that during its extraordinary session on
21st September the Maritime Safety Committee issued a resolution on
“Recommended action to facilitate ship crew change, access to medical care and
seafarer travel during the COVID-19 pandemic” which urges specific action to
address the issues raised. The resolution expresses deep concern about the
significant challenges being faced by the global shipping community to effect
crew changes and repatriation of seafarers as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, recognizing the crucial role of seafarers in supplying vital
goods.
The resolution “urges Governments and relevant national authorities
to:
- Engage nationally and internationally in
discussions on the implementation of the Recommended Framework of
Protocols for Ensuring Safe Ship Crew Changes and Travel during the
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (CL.4204/Add.14) and consider applying
them to the maximum extent possible;
- designate seafarers as "key workers" providing
an essential service, in order to facilitate safe and unhindered movement
for embarking or disembarking a vessel and consider legal possibilities
for accepting internationally recognized documentation carried by
seafarers as evidence of their status as "key workers", and for the
purpose of their travel and movement for crew change;
- consider, in liaison with relevant ministries
and authorities, including those responsible for immigration, temporary
measures including (where possible under relevant law) waivers, exemptions
or other relaxations from any visa or documentary requirements that might
normally apply to seafarers;
- encourage the use of prevention measures, such
as tests on crew before embarkation to reduce the risk of crew infections,
with a view to facilitating safe and quick crew changes during the
pandemic; and
- provide seafarers with immediate access to
medical care, medical facilities and facilitate medical evacuation of
seafarers in need of urgent medical attention when the required medical
care cannot be provided either on board or in the port of call; and
address the situation of seafarers who, due to their unforeseen longer
periods on board, are facing expiration of essential medical
prescriptions.
Governments and relevant national authorities
are also invited to designate a National Focal Point on Crew Change and
Repatriation of Seafarers, to coordinate action at national level”
Source: IMO Website: http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/PressBriefings/Pages/29-MSC-Ex-Session-seafarer-resolution.aspx.
Members may be interested to know that IMO Circular Letter 4204/Add.14
is a detailed document outlining recommended protocols for ensuring safe ship
crew changes and travel during the pandemic. This document, which was largely
developed by the International Chamber of Shipping runs to 61 pages and as you
will note from the first page, copy attached, is supported by FONASBA as well
as a wide range of other international maritime bodies. We are of course very
pleased to be associated with this document and will continue to encourage its
fullest possible support by IMO Contracting Governments.
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