Marina releases health protocols for repatriation and crew change amid pandemic

Marina releases health protocols for repatriation and crew change amid pandemic
Lorenz S. Marasigan July 30, 2020 https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/07/30/marina-releases-health-protocol...

The government has made the crew change and repatriation procedures for Filipino maritime workers easier, as the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) issued new guidelines and protocols for seafarers here and abroad.

Marina Administrator Robert A. Empedrad said the new guidelines is in line with the procedures and protocols recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“The revised protocol has ensured that the procedures on crew change and the repatriation of seafarers are done in compliance with the existing safety and health protocols issued by concerned government agencies for effective crew change as well as the IMO protocol,” he said.

However, shipping companies are not allowed to implement crew change in any port. Crew change hubs are being set up for this specific purpose. These facilities will be complying with health and safety protocols, including the required swab testing for Covid-19.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is tasked to evaluate ports that may be authorized as hubs for crew change.

For now, only the Port of Manila is authorized as a crew change hub. Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan will also be authorized soon. Other crew change hub locations are being considered such as Subic, Batangas and Davao.

The new guidelines cover the following maritime workers: Filipino Seafarers Joining a Ship Docked in the Philippines or Overseas (Outbound); Filipino Seafarers Leaving a Ship (Inbound); Special Procedures for Filipino Seafarers Leaving a Cruise Ship Docked in Philippine Seaports; Filipino Seafarers Transiting in the Philippines (Airport/Terminal to Airport/Terminal); Foreign Seafarers Joining a Ship Docked in the Philippine Seaport from the Airport (Airport to Ship); Foreign Seafarers Leaving a Ship Docked in Philippine Seaport to an Airport (Ship to Airport); and Foreign Seafarers Transiting in the Philippines (Airport/Terminal to Airport/Terminal).

“As a major provider of Filipino seafarers to the global labor market, we should spearhead the support to all seafarers who have been recognized as key workers,” Empedrad said.