# COVID - 19 , Maersk suspending all crew changes for 4 weeks **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [March 18, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620 "2020-03-18T12:02:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DamnYankee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/damnyankee/32/514_2.png) [@DamnYankee](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DamnYankee)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/1 "2020-03-18T12:02:29Z")
[https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/as-the-world-s-borders-close-crew-changes-become-a-serious-challenge](https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/as-the-world-s-borders-close-crew-changes-become-a-serious-challenge) Is this the beginning of a trend? ---
**Author:** ![DeckApe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/deckape/32/1271_2.png) [@DeckApe](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DeckApe)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 12:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/2 "2020-03-18T12:20:14Z")
At Military Sealift Command the new travel restrictions and quarantine requirements have functionally resulted in the same. It’s still the policy at MSC to provide crew relief. Its just that it has become very difficult to meet the travel requirements to send crew reliefs. I personally know of a few mariners who have reliefs assigned, want to travel, are cleared to travel but who can not get a flight out to the ship. (The travel requirements require a mariner not to land or _layover_ in an infected country which includes almost all of Europe, Bahrain, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and more.) ---
**Author:** ![whizbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c5a1d2/32.png) [@whizbang](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/whizbang)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/3 "2020-03-18T15:09:38Z")
Any word on MLL? They should be able to do almost all crew change stateside so hopefully Americans won’t be stuck at sea for the (18 month+) duration. ---
**Author:** ![Hawespiper5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/hawespiper5/32/37029_2.png) [@Hawespiper5](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hawespiper5)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2020, 5:43am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/4 "2020-03-19T05:43:46Z")
I’m supposed to be flying to Busan to relieve a guy on a union contracted MSC vessel. I need this job, I hope I can get there. ---
**Author:** ![samat3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@samat3](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/samat3)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2020, 7:10am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/5 "2020-03-19T07:10:57Z")
We have someone who finally got their relief onboard. Now the office won’t let the relieved person fly home. We’ll keep him on as an augment, so he’s not abandoned. ---
**Author:** ![samat3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@samat3](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/samat3)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2020, 7:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/7 "2020-03-20T07:14:53Z")
After reconsideration, the office will now fly the crewman home. ---
**Author:** ![Hawespiper5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/hawespiper5/32/37029_2.png) [@Hawespiper5](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hawespiper5)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/8 "2020-03-21T02:26:27Z")
Well I can tell you I’m not goin to Busan anytime soon. Supposedly no crew changes until April 18th. Since nothing significant will change that quickly I doubt I’ll be workin then but my bags are packed. They will most likely stay packed in the U.S. for quite awhile… I feel for the crew that have completed their 120 and want to go home (including a young man that was supposed to get married.) ---
**Author:** ![TheLash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/da6949/32.png) [@TheLash](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/TheLash)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 6:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/9 "2020-03-21T06:32:49Z")
Unless something miraculous happens soon, this will be inevitable for all mariners at least until some sort of enhanced screening process is implemented. If a vessel ends up quarantined it’s effectively out of business until the quarantine is lifted. ---
**Author:** ![ItsJody](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/itsjody/32/9624_2.png) [@ItsJody](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ItsJody)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 12:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/10 "2020-03-21T12:56:24Z")
Crowley tankers have followed suit until April 7. As of now. ---
**Author:** ![Skiing\_Salem\_Sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Skiing\_Salem\_Sailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Skiing_Salem_Sailor)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/11 "2020-03-21T20:34:34Z")
MSC just cancelled shore leave in Diego Garcia(MPS-2). This is going to get real quick as some Star Wars Bar(Seaman’s Club) regulars dry out. MPS-3 has already been restricted for a week. I am told it is fleet wide coming from the MSC Commander. ---
**Author:** ![SeaEagle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/seaeagle/32/17788_2.png) [@SeaEagle](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/SeaEagle)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/12 "2020-03-21T20:56:41Z")
Well shit, can’t even golf nine on the carpet covered reef. ---
**Author:** ![Hawespiper5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/hawespiper5/32/37029_2.png) [@Hawespiper5](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hawespiper5)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 1:59am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/13 "2020-03-23T01:59:04Z")
> [@DeckApe](#): > > (The travel requirements require a mariner not to land or _layover_ in an infected country which includes almost all of Europe, Bahrain, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and more.) Wow. Does this go for union contracted ships? I was all set to fly to Busan, Korea in 10 days but the company put all crew changes on hold (except Saipan I think). Do you think that may be because of the MSC directive? I’m screwed. I need this job now. But it’s not all about me. A crew member is due for relief so he can get married. ---
**Author:** ![Hawespiper5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/hawespiper5/32/37029_2.png) [@Hawespiper5](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hawespiper5)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/14 "2020-03-23T02:03:03Z")
> [@Skiing\_Salem\_Sailor](#): > > MSC just cancelled shore leave in Diego Garcia(MPS-2). This is going to get real quick as some Star Wars Bar(Seaman’s Club) regulars dry out. MPS-3 has already been restricted for a week. I am told it is fleet wide coming from the MSC Commander. Yep. The crew on the vessel I know of in Busan can’t leave the dock now. ---
**Author:** ![Skiing\_Salem\_Sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Skiing\_Salem\_Sailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Skiing_Salem_Sailor)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/15 "2020-03-23T18:59:44Z")
If you are talking PCS , last week crewing said they will re-evaluate in 30 days. This was after initially we were told 60 days. As far as DG goes there is now only 1 flight each week for “essential” folks. There were 4 joining crew in Singapore last week that were in the hotel a few days waiting becuase of delayed and then cancelled flights. They were all sent back CONUS when it appeared AMC would not be allowing the “non-essentials” to fly. I barely made it back flying though Singapore, my flight was the 2nd to last with joining crew. It’s odd that NSF DG is not quarantined but the ships are all on lock down. We can still see the charter boats going out each day and most of the island is operating normally with social distancing measure in place. ---
**Author:** ![brjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@brjones](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/brjones)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/16 "2020-03-24T20:06:23Z")
OSG and ATC have suspended crew changes for 30 days starting today ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/17 "2020-04-16T12:47:39Z")
A post was merged into an existing topic: [COVID-19 and Seafarers Crew Change](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-and-seafarers-crew-change/55012/6) ---
**Author:** ![DeckApe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/deckape/32/1271_2.png) [@DeckApe](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DeckApe)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/18 "2020-04-09T17:12:18Z")
> [@COVID-19 and Seafarer's Crew Change](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-and-seafarers-crew-change/55012/6): > > But maybe fellow seafarers on this forum have some compassion for those who are either stranded on board ships, or refused entry to many countries so they can get to their ships to relieve their colleagues I work for Military Sealift Command. The five thousand or so of us are used to being relieved several weeks to months past our relief dates. Heck, many of us don’t even talk about ‘relief dates’ anymore. We’ll say ‘a month till I’m overdue’. Compassion? Hah! Welcome to our world, pussies! ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/19 "2020-04-15T12:01:35Z")
There are 70000 “pussies” waiting to be relieved (and probably an equal number waiting to go to work): > **[Governments urged to back collective crew change plan -](https://splash247.com/governments-urged-to-back-collective-crew-change-plan/)** > > An alliance of maritime companies concerned about seafarer welfare and the viability of ocean supply chains in the midst of coronavirus restrictions has developed detailed crew changeover risk assessment plans. However, it needs urgent political and... They are stranded around the world, being denied permission to even go ashore for a few hours, let alone transfer to an airport to travel to their home. At least their employers and unions are trying to do something about it, but fear and lack of compassion in some countries is difficult to break through. Lack of support from fellow seafarers is more difficult to understand, (I know; they are “3rd world villagers”, so don’t count as much as those 5000 or so that serve on MSC ships) ---
**Author:** ![jdcavo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/jdcavo/32/108_2.png) [@jdcavo](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/jdcavo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 12:04pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/20 "2020-04-15T12:04:56Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > Lack of support from fellow seafarers is more difficult to understand, (I know; they are “3rd world villagers” ![not this again](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/gcaptain_maritime_forum/original/2X/d/ded8736284fc500dcda94cc9b92e796db96e6851.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2020, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620/21 "2020-04-16T10:49:43Z")
More is being done to solve the crew change problem around the world: > **[Airlines head vows to help fix crew change conundrum -](https://splash247.com/airlines-boss-vows-to-help-fix-crew-change-conundrum/)** > > The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) are jointly calling on governments to take urgent measures to facilitate crew change flights for seafarers. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, seafarers... But the help (and understanding of the problem) by Govts. are needed. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/covid-19-maersk-suspending-all-crew-changes-for-4-weeks/54620.md?page=2)