COVID-19 Adjusted Alert Level 3

According to Notice No.10 issued by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) dated 7 January 2021, the health risk alert for COVID-19 has been adjusted to Level 3.

Measures in place

It is important that all vessel Masters make accurate Maritime Declarations of Health and well-being of all on-board to the Authorities. Any false declaration will be viewed in a serious light and reported to the South African Maritime Authority and Port Health officials for further action resulting in detention, fines and additional stricter measures.

Vessel Masters must make declaration of crew who joined the vessel in the last 30 days and the transit points they went through and stowaways, if any, on-board.

Cargo and passenger vessel crews:

a) Foreign cargo vessel crew changes can take place in any of the South African Ports as per SAMSA Marine Notice 47 of 2020 and subject to the conditions contained therein.

b) Passenger ships are not permitted to call at any of the ports except for replenishing fuel, stores, provisions, repairs and crew & passenger shore leave remains prohibited.

c) Additional permitted activities:

• Disembarking of returning South African citizens and holders of South African permanent residence permits;
• Medical evacuation; and
• Search and Rescue

Maritime Safety Precautions:

1) Masters of vessels must maintain a medical log of daily temperature screenings of all persons on board and this must be presented to the Port Health Officer on request.

2) All crew signing off must undergo a proper Covid-19 test prior to arrival at any airport – all luggage must be sanitized.

3) All crew signing on vessels must either have a PCR or have done a Covid-19 test done prior to joining a vessel .

4) Persons embarking and disembarking vessels must now undergo temperature tests, and fill in Covid-19 declaration forms, wear PPE, maintain physical distancing and ensure good hygiene.

All vessels will be permitted to replenish fuel, stores, provisions, spares and conduct critical maintenance repairs in all South African ports.

All Ports are open for cargo operations under strict COVID-19 protocols with conditions.

The vessel bridge and equipment to be sanitised before the pilot embarks and after the pilot disembarks the vessel. All bridge equipment to be used by the pilot will be sanitised. Social distance must be maintained at all times and external access used to avoid contact with vessel living quarters.

Pens and all stationary to be used by the pilot must be sanitised. Use of electronic copies is preferred where possible.

All crew and visitors to the vessel must make use of PPE and maintain a distance of at least 2m where possible – no crossing in alleyways or narrow passages. Gangways must only accommodate a single file of people at least 2m apart. Only one way traffic on gangway. The rails of the gangway are to be sanitised every 4 hours. Tally offices, reception areas, common use areas and toilets facilities to be regularly sanitised and exceptional hygiene standards to be practiced.

No person must be allowed to board unless on official business. An accurate record/log of all entry of persons and testing must be kept and ready for inspection by any Authority. Temperature screening records of crew must be maintained on daily basis and any persons boarding the vessel must be screened. Vessels’ Covid-19 plans must include restricted access to vessel.

Dedicated sanitising stations must be provided on every vessel. All Terminal Operators to comply with the Disaster Management Act Regulations as amended to limit the spread of the Coronavirus – Social distancing and washing of hands must be observed and all must use the appropriate usual safety PPE as well as the masks and any other PPE deemed necessary.

Wearing of masks in public or when interacting with shore personnel is mandatory – failure to use a mask is punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both.

The disposable PPE from every vessel must be disposed of as hazardous waste. A separate medical waste bin must be provided on every vessel for this purpose.

The transfer of stores and spares for Off Port Limits vessels are permitted subject to compliance with strict COVID-19 Protocols.

Medical Evacuations from Vessels

1) All Medical Evacuations to be conducted from vessels out at sea must be communicated by the shipping agent and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to Port Health Services of the nearest harbour.

2) Evacuation of seafarers, passengers, mariners on board all ships along the South African coastline must be allowed in terms of Search and Rescue as well as the Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No.57 of 1951) and subject to the following:

1. The evacuation must comply with the provisions relating to medical evacuations contained in the South African Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue Act, 2002 (Act No. 44 of 2002) and
2. The evacuation must be carried out in terms of the MRCC SOPS and Marine Notice 24.

General

All Stevedores must be registered as workers, have contact details to be able to be traced for purposes of sharing information and possible infection risks – also be screened on vessel.

Shore leave for crew will be permitted for essential reasons only or in an emergency. Also note the country’s COVID-19 Lockdown Level 3 regulations also restricts the movement of people between 21h00 and 06h00. Non-compliance to these regulations are considered serious and carry a fine or imprisonment or both.

Limited interaction between bunker barge operator and vessels is permitted. Crew to ensure gloves are provided and used when handling mooring lines and all preventative precautions are upheld. Risk of disease transfer from hoses, flanges, tools and documents must be considered when providing PPE. Strict hygiene control must be in place for all activities conducted onboard. Bunker barges to ensure washing facilities & sanitation is provided onboard. Minimum interaction with Master and crew of vessel. Records of vessels and all interactions as well of any suspected and confirmed cases must be kept by the bunker barge operators and reported to the Port Authority. A Covid-19 Compliance Officer must be nominated as per the regulations.

Any confirmed cases of Coronavirus, suspected cases or other sickness are to be reported immediately to the nearest Port Control and to the Port Health Officer.

South African Ports are at Security level 1(to be revised) of the Maritime Security Regulations 2004 & the ISPS code, however access control, searches and operations will apply. Passenger terminals will remain at security level 3, as well as respective passenger liners intending to call at South African Ports until further notice - as per Department of Transport directive issued on 13 November 2020.

All waste removal will be permitted by licensed service providers with strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols and subject to the Department of Health requirements.

Technicians, surveyors and essential maintenance personnel will be permitted to visit vessels in port and anchorage – subject to meeting all COVID-19 protocols.

All vessels shall abide by the relevant SAMSA Marine Notices and TNPA Notices in force.

Suspected cases should be discussed with public health call line no. 0800 029 999. The local Port Health Office, Harbour Master and Agency must be informed of any suspected cases.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected]