On the 23 May 2020, the Ports and Yachting Directorate within Transport Malta issued Port Notice 09/20 concerning COVID-19 Temporary Precautionary Measures – Framework of protocol for conducting maritime support services.
This Notice sets out a framework protocol to conduct maritime support services to all vessels that have been cleared to obtain services in Maltese Waters for various scenarios.
1. Conveyance with STS Surveyors and Mooring Masters (Technical Personnel):
a. Service Duration only a few hours but within the same day:
i. All necessary documentation including the Maritime Declaration of Health and the last ports of call in the previous 30 days for the subject vessel, together with the details of the technical personnel rendering the service, must be provided to the Port Health Doctor;
ii. On return ashore, no quarantine is required as long as there is compliance with the PPE and IPC measures listed in point 2 below;
iii. Should any technical personnel experience fever or any COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days following the provision of the service, or results positive following a swab test, 111 must be immediately called and the Port Health Doctor notified of the positive swab test result.
b. Service duration lasting more than one day but not proceeding OTW:
i. Same as point 1(a)(i) above;
ii. On return ashore, the technical personnel are to be screened at port side by the nurses from the airport clinic, Port Health Medical Services. Thereafter, the personnel must proceed to a 14-day mandatory quarantine. The local Shipping agent is responsible to facilitate the transportation of the nurses to conduct the entry screen;
iii. Same as point 1(a) (iii) above.
iv. A swab test must be carried out on day 12 of the quarantine in a private laboratory facility.
c. Service rendered OTW exceeding 5 working days:
i. Technical personnel must do a negative COVID-19 swab test 48 hours prior embarking on the subject vessel;
ii. The PPE and IPC measures listed in point 2, below must be followed as best as possible and reasonably practicable;
iii. On return ashore, the technical personnel are to be screened at port side by the nurses from the airport clinic, Port Health Medical Services. Thereafter, the technical personnel must proceed to a 14-day mandatory quarantine. The local shipping agent is responsible to facilitate the transportation of the nurses to conduct the entry screen;
iv. Should any technical personnel have fever or any COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days following the provision of the service, 111 must be immediately called and the Port Health Doctor notified of the positive swab test result;
v. A swab test must be carried out on day 12 of the quarantine in a private laboratory facility.
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention Control (IPC):
a. Technical personnel providing STS or mooring support services are to remain on deck whilst being transferred with the service/conveyance boat, whereas the crew of such boat are to remain inside the cabin;
b. The details of the service/conveyance boats providing conveyance services or proceeding to render services outside territorial waters (OTW) are to be notified to the Port Health Doctor to expedite contact tracing should this be required;
c. All technical personnel in attendance are to wear appropriate facial masks, goggles and overall safety suits;
d. All technical personnel are to take IPC measures such as social distancing and frequent hand hygiene to prevent fomite spread;
3. Travel ban exemption for repatriation or in connection with ship operations:
a. To be referred to the Superintendent of Public Health for consideration on a case by case basis;
b. If approved, conditions will be communicated by the Port Health office.
4. Fishing Vessels – Tuna Season:
a. To be referred to the Superintendent of Public Health for consideration on a case by case basis;
b. If approved, conditions will be communicated by the Port Health office.
5. Yachting / Ship maintenance requests, and other requests related to the maritime industry:
a. To be referred to the Superintendent of Public Health for consideration on a case by case basis;
b. If approved, conditions will be communicated by the Port Health office.
The above Notice does not specify instructions for personnel rendering services at OTW for more than one day, but less than five consecutive days.
For more information contact Vassallo Associates on malta@hvassallo.com
