Significant problems emerged with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and affected shipping as well as all areas of entrepreneurship.
George Gabriel, Director, GOLDEN UNION SHIPPING CO S.A., spoke to DoctorNext2Me about the issues that arose regarding the crews, their management difficulties, the treatment of seafarers' health issues and the restrictions being forced by COVID.
- What are the most serious crew management issues that needed to be addressed immediately, with the outbreak of the Covind-19 pandemic?
The first and basic concern was/is to protect the health of crews on board. This was extremely difficult in the beginning because Ports were not even aware or responsive to the protective actions we were implementing. Protective gear such as masks, gloves, disinfectant, robes, thermometers were placed on board, and procedures ensuring segregation from boarding Port personnel applied. A little later with more knowledge on the COVID 19 issue, a full Company manual was provided for implementation on all ships.
With the Global clampdown there was rare if not no possibility of crew changes, but for those few, testing for covid 19 became a prerequisite.
- What are the major challenges in terms of Safety, Health, and Welfare at this time?
The major challenge in this respect is the maintenance of health services to crew needing medical help in Ports where due to COVID no such services are available. A severe toothache, a kidney stone, or whatever may be regarded as not life-threatening had to be endured by Seamen with little or no help from shore.
A further source of stress has been the provision of technical assistance and services in Ports. Ports and Terminals for the sake of COVID not allowing the usual service providers to come on board to solve the issues that invariably arise for repair and maintenance of safety equipment, critical equipment, Navaids, etc. Necessary repairs in pipework or other structural repairs had to be postponed or undertaken with great risk from the crew.
Crew, now, in addition to having to extend their service on board beyond the allowance of Flag and MLC were restricted from even coming ashore to “stretch their legs”
- How does your company handle emergency medical cases?
We were fortunate, during the pandemic, the few times we encountered a medical emergency, we were in close proximity to Port(s) where our seamen were safely evacuated, received proper treatment, and returned safely to their homes. We also had a negative response albeit to a severe tooth problem which had to be endured by the seaman on board as the Port decided not to allow him to visit the dentist. I would say generally in our experience on emergency medical cases, most Ports were supportive and acted quickly and effectively.
- What services and tools do you think could best help you improve your Wellness / Welfare programs?
What we have seen is, those restrictions being forced by COVID although very disruptive to the normal safe operation of Ships, with good communication and relationship with crews and their families can address most of the issues. Vessels have over the last few years have been equipped with telecommunication systems and services that allow not only easy and affordable voice services but also data services to crew on board, allowing them to have close communication with their families. With the lifting of the total clampdown on crew changes, ships have been able to make the necessary crew changes sometimes at great cost and delay as invariably ships may have to be diverted from their usual trade so as to call into a Port allowing crew changes. We have seen from Interviews with our crews, that, building trust, and a strong relationship with the crew and their families have helped all parties during this stressful time.