CHIRP Maritime recently published advisory papers on COVID-19 medical advice to Masters and crew on vessels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s an excerpt from the publication.
Advisory papers released
The confidential incident reporting scheme CHIRP Maritime released advisory papers on medical and psychological aspects relating to seafarers currently on vessels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease causes, and how it spreads.”
General advice to Masters and crew
Who prepared the paper?
COVID-19 general advice to Masters and crew was prepared by Dr. Suzanne Stannard, Consultant, Norwegian Centre of Maritime and Diving Medicine and member of the CHIRP Maritime Advisory Board.
Highlights
It highlights a range of medical resources available online including an online, interactive tool to assist in the management of possible COVID-19 cases on board and was developed by the Centre. For more information click here.
Focus on seafarer wellbeing
Who prepared the paper?
Focus on seafarer wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic was prepared by Dr. Claire Pekcan, Director of Safe Marine and member of the CHIRP Maritime Advisory Board.
Highlights
It highlights an array of resources available to seafarers,
- some designed to be proactive and prevent problems from occurring,
- others containing advice on how to deal with situations as they arise,
- others that offer reactive measures that help people to deal with their own and
- others’ reactions to the circumstances that they find themselves in.
For more information click here.
Insight into the plight of seafarers
CHIRP Maritime has also prepared an insight article into the plight of seafarers at this time. The article suggests topics that shipping companies might consider in order to mitigate seafarers’ concerns.
Few countries have forbidden any persons to enter, including their own citizens. Therefore, seafarers are often unable to enter their own country, leaving them stranded at the port of disembarkation or en-route.
For more information click here.
Well-being, health and safety of crews
There are plenty of areas where companies might consider the well-being, health and safety of crews which are currently “trapped on board,” states the article. These include:
- Regular updates from the company with information about the current status of the pandemic particularly focused on information from the seafarers’ home countries,
- Access for seafarers to make regular contact with their families by telephone, social media, or perhaps company email if a specific crew mail system is not installed on board,
- Similar information and assistance from manning agencies should be the norm and not the exception
- Shore leave in many ports is currently banned or severely restricted. Thus, if the vessel does not have a slop chest, companies could instruct their masters to see which crew members need essential toiletries and perhaps medication, then instruct the vessels agents to order and supply,
- Where seafarers have an urgent financial requirement then this should be treated in a pragmatic, compassionate, and urgent manner by shipping companies,
- Perhaps a financial incentive such as an additional bonus and/or increased leave,
- A reduction in hours worked to allow for more relaxation, and
- A guarantee of future employment on completion of leave would give the seafarer some reassurance.
For more information click here.
Prevent spreading of COVID-19
How it spreads?
There is currently no vaccine or known effective treatment against COVID-19. It is spread in the same way as a cold and flu illness and can be spread from the airways of an affected person in three ways:
- As droplets in the air from an infected cough or sneeze that then come into contact with the mucosa membranes in the eye, nose or mouth of other people close to the infected person.
- Through direct contact, for example, when the patient touches another person with virus on their hands.
- Through indirect contact when the virus is transferred by coughing/sneezing/touch of an infected person onto an object that is then touched by another person.
How to prevent the spread?
To prevent the spread of infection:
- Avoid coughing or sneezing on others.
- Try to cough or sneeze into a paper towel that is thrown away immediately or, if this is not possible, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow.
- Avoid close contact (1-2 meters if possible) with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness and wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
- Proper hand washing by sick and healthy people is important to prevent transfer of the virus.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and hot water, especially after contact with others.
- Using appropriate hand sanitiser is a good alternative if hand washing is not possible.
- If your hands are dirty or wet, hand gels are less effective, and hand washing is preferred.
When to seek help onboard?
People on board who develop signs of respiratory disease, should contact the medical officer. Signs of respiratory infection include:
- coughing,
- fever,
- sore throat,
- chest pain and
- difficulties breathing.
If required the medical officer can seek assistance from Telemedical Assistance Services (TMAS).
How to manage suspected coronavirus illness on board?
- The patient should be isolated in the sickbay, or in their own cabin.
- They should wear a medical facemask when in contact with other people.
- The patient’s condition should be assessed regularly either in person or by telephone.
- If there is any deterioration in the patient’s condition, TMAS services should be contacted.
- Contact with the patient should be limited to one or two other crew members.
- Anybody in contact with the patient should use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as facemask, apron or gown, gloves and goggles, when entering the patient’s cabin.
- Make sure to follow advice on hand washing and wash hands immediately after leaving the patient’s cabin.
- Initiate routines for the disinfection of surfaces that many people may touch, for example, mess areas, door handles, railings, toilet flush buttons, telephones, navigation panels etc.
- Laundry, eating utensils and garbage from the cabin of an isolated person must be treated as contaminated by the virus. Use gloves when handling these items and cover them when in transit to the washing machine/dishwasher/ appropriate bin.
When going into port
- The Maritime Health Declaration must be completed and submitted according to usual procedures before entering a port.
- If illness due to COVID-19 is suspected on board, the port authorities must be informed and asked for instructions regarding the management of the patient.
- Guidance on how to manage contacts and other persons on board should also be requested.
Crew changes
- When planning a change of crew, careful consideration of local and international travel advice is essential.
- Any planned crew change should be considered on an individual basis and subject to a thorough risk assessment by the ship and ship owner.
- Port authorities should be contacted regarding local regulations.
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Source: CHIRP Maritime
