COVID-19 update

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) provides guidance here on COVID-19 and the world of work. An informative graphic from that page is reproduced here.

There follows firstly, an overview of some key issues and advice that may assist ship operators, masters and crews to stay alert, strengthen self-protection and prevent the spread of COVID-19; secondly, an anonymised example of a company fleet policy on COVID-19 prevention, and lastly, some useful links for further information.

• COVID-19 is a respiratory disease. The main symptoms are fever, aches and pains, a sore throat, a dry cough, and shortness of breath.
• The disease may appear to be relatively mild in many cases. However, the virus has the potential to cause severe illness and death. Persons with pre-existing medical conditions will be at higher risk.
• As with colds and influenza, transmission occurs via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease can also be caught by persons touching objects or surfaces on which droplets have landed, and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
• We do not know how long the virus survives on surfaces. It can be killed with simple disinfectants.
• We do not have confirmed information about incubation time, but the best estimates are that it is generally between 1 to 14 days and most commonly around five days.
• There as yet is no vaccine for the disease. It is caused by a virus; antibiotics are not effective against it.

• Raise awareness amongst crew members so that they are aware of the risks, how the virus can be spread, and precautions that should be taken.
• Practise good hygiene:
  • Wash hands frequently and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Practice good respiratory hygiene (cover coughs and sneezes).
  • Maintain social distancing. Keep at least 2-metres (6 feet) distance between yourself and other people.

If you have a suspected case of COVID-19 on-board the vessel, seek immediate expert medical opinion. Report the event as soon as possible to allow for an appropriate medical response.

The following measures may be helpful:

• Keep the patient’s cabin doors closed, if not placed in a medical isolation room on-board.
• To contain respiratory secretions, a surgical mask should be provided to the patient and worn as much as possible.
• Provide information about the risk of disease transmission to persons who will take care of the patient or enter the isolation area and limit the number of such persons.
• Maintain a log listing everybody who enters the cabin.
• Anyone who enters the cabin to provide care to the person in isolation or to clean the cabin must wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE). A surgical mask and goggles or face shield is particularly important, as is the use of disposable gloves.
• Gloves, masks and other waste generated during health care of the patient should be placed in a waste bin with lid in the patient’s room before disposal as ‘infection waste’.
• Limit the movement and transport of the patient from the cabin for essential purposes only. If transport is necessary, the patient should wear a surgical mask and any surfaces touched by the patient should be cleaned and disinfected.
• Start case investigation immediately. Wear appropriate PPE when interviewing the patient and keep a distance of at least 1 metre.
• Identify the patient’s close contacts and ask them to do passive self-monitoring of any symptoms.

Here is an example of one fleet policy to help prevent the COVID-19 virus from reaching vessels and worksites. This policy is based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and its objective is to ensure first and foremost the health, safety and wellbeing of our people. Members may wish to use or adapt it for their own organisations.

“Effective immediately, no one is authorized to join or visit a vessel if they have travelled through or from any of the prohibited selected countries and areas, including airport transfers, in accordance with the latest COVID-19 updated information and guidance from the authorities.

"In line with medical health professional advice, three set criteria will be used to identify if an individual may present a risk that should be mitigated:

1. Travelled to or through a prohibited risk area within timeline specified including airport transfers, regardless of symptoms.
2. Displays COVID-19 symptoms; cough, difficulty breathing, fever.
3. Had a direct exposure to a confirmed or suspect COVID-19 infected individual.

"Anyone who meets any of the three criteria above ought to self-isolate for 14 days before joining the vessel/ worksite.”

Additional measures to mitigate COVID-19 risks may be introduced by governments and clients as well as by companies in the supply chain. Members may wish to require that anyone accessing worksites – including quayside areas adjacent to vessels – should respect and follow these requirements.

Members may wish to refer to:

• World Health Organisation Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on board ships
• IMO Circular Letters as follows:
  • Guidance relating to the certification of seafarers (Circular letter No.4204/Add.5 17 March)
  • Guidance for ship operators for the protection of the health of seafarers (Circular Letter No.4204/Add.4 5 March)
  • Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on board ships (Circular Letter No.4204/Add.3 2 March)
• ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
• US CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019
• UK MCA (Marine & Coastguard Agency) CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Contingency Plan and Guidelines for the services provided to Seafarers and Shipowners by the MCA.