The influence of quick and also globally spread of Covid -19 throughout the maritime sector, particularly the cruise liner sector, has actually made worldwide headings because the episode of the worldwide pandemic.
The Diamond Princess was quarantined at the Port of Yokohama in Japan in February, controling global protection. Last week the Grand Princess was producing headings after it was rejected authorization to dock in California amidst supposition that some guests and also team had actually examined favorable for Covid -19.
This week the coronavirus harmed Braemar made worldwide information after being averted from a number of Caribbean ports and also invested days looking for someplace to dock till Cuba accepted enable the offloading of guests and also team.
Image Credits: itfglobal.org
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines validated that the Braemar is achored around 5 miles off the shore of Havana, waiting for a charter trip from the UK where they will certainly unload the British visitors and also team just– nothing else races. The remainder of the guests and also team are supposedly still in limbo.
Now the Guardian are reporting that greater than 100 Australian physicians and also physician are stuck on cruise liner off Chile aboard the Roald Amundsen after Chile prohibited cruise liner from docking in feedback to the Covid -19 pandemic.
Dave Heindel, chair of the ITF seafarers’ area today promoted the failing of flag states to safeguard seafarers’ and also traveler’s wellness throughout this altruistic dilemma.
“Attention needs to be called on the failure of the governments of Bermuda and the Bahamas in the cases of the Grand Princess and the Braemar for not accepting their responsibility to remedy the problem for its sovereign vessels,” claimed Heindel.
“In each of these cases, the US, and following a diplomatic scramble, the Cuban government, have been working directly with the cruise liners to address the situation. But there has been little or no mention of the responsibility and duty of care of flag state governments to assist seafarers employed on these vessels,” Heindel included.
Under global legislation, the obligation for the health and wellness of the team and also guests, and also for the bigger public that might be affected, gets on the flag state federal governments. Flag states ought to make sure that business whose vessels fly their flag follow nationwide and also global regulations because flag states have sovereignty over their vessels.
“Flag states have sovereignty over their vessels, but for the coronavirus-affected cruise ships responsibility has fallen on the port states, national governments of the passengers and crew or even a third country. For instance, the Braemar was refused to dock in its own territory, with the vessel sent Cuba after the government authorised the offloading or passengers and crew,” claimed Heindel.
“This is simply insane and unsustainable. If the world continues to accept the Flag of Convenience system in its current form, it should be pointed out for its failures. The world should be concerned about the lack of policies and inability of flag states to react and enact measures in line with their responsibility to protect workers and tackle the transmission of the Covid-19 virus,” he claimed.
The ITF, and also our maritime associates standing for seafarers and also dockers worldwide, prompted flag states to take duty and also represent the wellness and also wellness of all employees and also guests onboard their vessels, specifically the seafarers that live and also function onboard for numerous months each time.
“Protecting the health of transport workers is our first priority. The ITF will continue to advocate for the health and safety of crews on ships, port workers, along with passengers, and that they are protected from any potential risks of COVID-19 as well as ensuring that flags states are adhering to their duty of care to their health and safety,” claimed Heindel.
Reference: itfglobal.org
