Maersk Idaho anchored off of Cape Henry due to almost half the crew have covid 19. One evacuated to a local hospital in Newark, it’s last port . 9 others tested positive on arrival to anchorage, but showing no symptoms. 21-22 crew onboard. Maersk plans to change out crews and disinfect before new crew arrives. Whole crew was tested Sunday on arrival to anchorage. Was scheduled for arrival at PIT Saturday, don’t think that’s gonna happen.
AMO/SIU prolly…
Negative on the AMO. MMP and MEBA on the Idaho.
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Please feel to share with the rest of us plebs what the hell AMO, MMP and MEBA are.
And SIU.
Is it communicable?
Should I take a pill?
Those are the maritime unions represented on US ships.
AMO - American Maritime Officers (deck and engineering officers)
MMP - Masters, Mates and Pilots (primarily deck officers, a few engineers in their offshore division)
MEBA - Marine Engineer’s Beneficial Association (mostly engineers but some deck officers)
SIU - Seafarers International Union
SUP - Sailors Union of the Pacific
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Thanks, now it makes sense!
Are they primarily Unions, or Crewing Agents, competing to supply crews at the lowest cost?
Unions, as most people understand it, exists to ensure the best possible pay and working condition for their member.This is obtained by collective bargaining with the Shipowner/Operator’s Associations, with support by Maritime Authorities/Government in the country and in an amicable manner.
The confrontational style of old has proven not to work. Strike are “weapon of last resort” only.
Here is a link to the homepage of the Norwegian Seaman’s Union that is today representing seafarers of many nationalities:
You already know the answer to your question, ombugge.
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It would be great to have more data from different sectors of the maritime industry re: C19 preventative efforts. The pertinent questions when these shipboard epidemics of Covid19 occur are:
- Was a self-quarantine of 14 days or longer required of each crew member before signing aboard?
- Was PCR Covid19 testing performed on each crew member, with results returned before signing aboard?
- Were screening questions asked a week out before the crew member signed aboard, and again right before the crew member signed aboard, with temperature/oxy saturation taken?
None of these steps will prevent C19 from coming aboard with with 100% certainty. But, based on experience with the North Pacific fishing fleet, it seems that these steps taken together, with a responsible workforce, greatly reduces the likelihood of C19 coming aboard. What is the practice in the deep-sea MM? Is there a standard?
I’m wondering what kind quarantine the oncoming crew will be subject to. I’m sure they will be tested prior to boarding, but how will they know if/when they are ready to safely board?
You left out the MFOWW
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“The vessel captain reported that the mariner had not been ashore since joining the vessel in mid-April. Prior to knowledge of the mariner testing positive for COVID-19, the vessel had departed for Norfolk where it has taken a position at anchorage outside the port,” the statement from MLL said.
I left out a handful, realized that after I logged off for the day. IBU as well…
It’s gonna get difficult to put together a full crew where no one has it pretty shortly it seems like. Feels like we’re back in March and April watching graphs go vertical.
I’m curious, as freighterman1 is, about how widespread testing is in the US maritime industry. I haven’t heard of much other than what Coastal is doing, as well as American Seafoods. Are people being tested prior to crewing up?
Our particular difficulty is that the Officers work 2 weeks about so it’s all a bit tricky.
As we run a lifeline service to a couple of islands it is vital that the 1 RoRo and the 1 RoPax are kept virus free.
When we join we go in to the storage container at the end of the linkspan and self test our temperature, assuming of course that the last bunch of dickheads have left enough protective covers for the IR thermometer.
We then sign a piece of paper to say that we haven’t been anywhere nasty; this then sits in the cabin for 2 weeks and you bin it when you get off.
After the container you don mask and gloves, board the vessel and proceed to your cabin; supposed to be escorted but that is just stupid.
Then you go to work and try your best to maintain 2 metres separation from everyone else so that you don’t infect the rest of the tribe, if you are a vector.
We dine for the first week in the passenger lounge (no passengers) on paper plates with plastic cutlery and then carry on as normal. Quite civilised actually.
The crew, all Ukrainians, generally do 12 weeks on and 6 weeks off so after the first week they are considered clear; there is no shore leave for them although that is a major bone of contention between the 2 ships.
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Are you required to self-quarantine for 14 days before going board ship?
Self-Quarantine being defined as living at home, going out for exercise whenever, going to stores as needed, but avoiding all crowds and sit-in dining etc.
Not required to but supposed to be vigilant and we do that anyway; can’t go to hospital though.
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No actual COVID testing per say where I’m at, but we are expected to self quarantine for two weeks before returning to the vessel and then we check temperatures and have them fill out a questionnaire on arrival. All pretty moot though with our client coming and going from the boat at random without any ROM as we sit “gangway up.”
From what I’m seeing in message traffic from the office, they’ve installed touch free thermoscanners at the crew change lounge for the GOM guys and expect everyone to be using it before heading to the boats.
Guys on the Maersk Idaho are off the vessel and in quarantine in the Norfolk area.