seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

'We are very afraid': stranded cruise ship's crew in limbo amid pandemic
Uki Goñi 3 May 2020

Tensions aboard the Greg Mortimer have reached breaking point over allegations ship’s operators and captain pressured doctor to downplay outbreak

After an ill-fated Antarctic expedition in which 60% of passengers and crew contracted coronavirus and spent a month stranded off the coast of South America, the successful repatriation of 132 tourists from a Australian cruise ship seemed like a rare happy ending.

Royal Caribbean executives agree to the CDC’s terms for disembarking crew stuck on ships
Taylor Dolven and David J. Neal May 03, 2020

Royal Caribbean Cruises crew members who have felt imprisoned on cruise ships during a standoff between the company and the CDC might soon be emancipated, according to letters sent to employees Sunday from the CEOs of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises obtained by the Miami Herald.

Generosity extends across the seas to needy seafarers visiting city’s port
Peter Bugden May 4, 2020 https://catholicleader.com.au/news/generosity-extends-across-the-seas-to...

BRISBANE’S Apostleship of the Sea is appealing for help to increase the number of care packs offered to needy seafarers visiting the city’s port during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DFA: Repatriation of distressed OFWs suspended
Bernadette Tamayo May 3, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/03/news/latest-stories/dfa-repatriat...

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) temporarily suspended the repatriation of distressed Filipinos overseas following the directive of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 restricting inbound and outbound flights.

Seafarer in Lanao Norte tests positive for COVID-19
RIchel V. Umel -May 1, 2020 https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/05/seafarer-in-lanao-norte-te...

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / 01 May) – One of the four seafarers who arrived in Lanao del Norte on April 29 dawn tested positive for coronavirus disease based on the result of a rapid test.

Families of Ilonggo OFWs in isolation appeal for support
Tara Yap May 2, 2020 https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/02/families-of-ilonggo-ofws-in-isolation-...

ILOILO CITY – The families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mostly Ilonggo seafarers, are appealing to government officials to give more support to their loved ones who are under isolation to rule out coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

[OPINION] Confronting the new normal in seafaring
Ron Bridget T. Vilog May 02, 2020 https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/259609-opinion-confronting-new-no...

Because of the pandemic, Filipino seafarers – who make up 25% of the global seafaring industry – face a very different homecoming

Halos 400 Pinoy crew lampas 1 buwan nang stranded sa cruise ship sa Florida
Mayo 1, 2020 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/pinoyabroad/736436/halos-40...

More than 1,200 stranded seafarers sent home to PH from LA
Jun Nucum - May 01, 2020 https://usa.inquirer.net/54702/more-than-1200-stranded-seafarers-sent-ho...

LOS ANGELES — More than 1,200 Filipino seafarers have so far been assisted by the Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles (PCG LA) and Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Los Angeles and sent off at Tom Bradley International Airport for their trip back home to the Philippines..

Coast Guard to conduct mass testing for seafarers on cruise ships in Manila Bay
Kristine Joy Patag - May 1, 2020 - https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/01/2011137/coast-guard-conduc...

MANILA, Philippines — Returning Filipino seafarers aboard cruise ships at the Manila Bay anchorage area will undergo a swab test and will need to be cleared of COVID-19 before they are allowed to disembark, the Philippine Coast Guard said.