MUA calls for vaccination of all foreign seafarers calling at Australian ports May 17, 2021, by Jasmina Ovcina
In an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading into the community, the New South Wales Ministry of Health plans to vaccinate a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports.
The Maritime Union of Australia welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth. However, the union insists the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.
Maritime Union of Australia
In an Australian-first, NSW Health will provide COVID-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers onboard vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community.
The Maritime Union of Australia welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth, but said the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of COVID transmission to waterfront workers.
Sixteen seafarers onboard Singapore-flagged LPG carrier Epic St Agnes, which is on long-term charter to Australian energy giant Origin Energy, received their first vaccination dose yesterday morning while berthed at Port Botany.
Maritime Union Wins a Small Victory as Foreign Crews to Get Vaccinations
Campaign Highlighting Covid Risk Begins to Come to Fruition
AUSTRALIA – In an Australian-first, NSW Health will provide Covid-19 vaccinations to a small number of foreign seafarers on board vessels that transport gas between Australian ports in an effort to reduce the risk of the virus entering the community. The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) sees this initiative as a small win having campaigned relentlessly for increased Covid-19 measures, but finds that more needs to be done to protect seafarers in the ongoing pandemic.
The MUA has welcomed the initiative between NSW Health and NSW Ports, which will cover vessels that regularly visit the Port Botany Bulk Liquids Berth, but said the model must be rolled out nationally to reduce the risk of Covid transmission to waterfront workers. MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said there was an urgent need for a nationally-consistent approach to close the gaping
Italy s La Nazione daily publication reported the first and second officers had tested positive for Covid-19.
No autopsy has been carried out on the master, who had tested negative for coronavirus in Italy and South Africa.
Italian public prosecutor Antonio Patrono has received a complaint from family members who alleged a lack of assistance from Indonesian authorities.
He has ordered an autopsy and asked Italian police to repatriate the body.
Served with distinction The ship is ready to leave; we await information from the competent authorities, operator Italia Marittima said in a statement.
The company expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the late captain, who the company said served the organisation for many years with professionalism and dedication.
COVID ship takes state s active cases to 28 Queensland’s active cases of COVID have risen to 28, with two of four new cases linked to a ship anchored off the Sunshine Coast.
Health by Janelle Miles
Premium Content
Subscriber only Queensland active cases of the COVID-19 virus have risen to 28 with four new infections, all acquired overseas. The new cases, and two historical infections, take Queensland s total number of confirmed cases since the pandemic began to 1556. Two of Queensland’s four new cases of COVID are on the Inge Kosan tanker, anchored off the Sunshine Coast. Of the four new cases, one had recently flown into Queensland from Papua New Guinea and the other three were people on the Inge Kosan tanker, anchored off Mooloolaba, on the Sunshine Coast.