Crew changes to commence, with restrictions

02 Sep 2020 / Freeport, Bahamas

GAC’s agent in the Bahamas has been granted permission to start crew changes at Freeport, with restrictions.

The agent must individually submit a letter requesting for the crew change for both on- and off-signers. Once the letter submitted, request will then be sent to Civil Aviation and health professionals as medical approval is important for the process. Approval is expected to take a few days.

The following are process and restrictions for all crew change taking place:

ON-SIGNERS

  1. Medical professional must escort persons directly to flight.
  2. Provide charter flight information as private charter flights ONLY.
  3. Names of crew.
  4. Before departure to the Bahamas, a Health Visa must be issued by the Government of The Bahamas. To apply visit travel.gov.bs.
  5. Before departure to the Bahamas, a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test with a negative result within 5 days from the date of travel is required.
  6. No lay-overs – Only direct airport to vessel transfers (not hotels) are permitted.
  7. Vessel must be drifting 3-5 miles off port limits before charter flight can leave Florida to proceed to Bahamas.
  8. On arrival, all crew members must wear regulated masks prior to disembarking the flight.
  9. Crew to be picked up at the airport, plane side, and transported to launch vessel with no stops.

OFF-SIGNERS

  1. Medical professional must escort person directly to flight.
  2. Provide charter flight information as private charter flights ONLY.
  3. Names of crew.
  4. No lay-overs – Only direct vessel to airport transfers (no hotels) are permitted.
  5. Charter flight must be grounded at the airport in Bahamas prior to crew disembarking vessel.
  6. Off-signing crew members must wear regulated masks prior to disembarking vessel.
  7. Off-signing crew to be transported to shore via launch vessel.
  8. Off-signing crew to be picked up and transported to airport where Bahamas Immigration can process the crew for immediate boarding of flight.
  9. COVID19 testing is required for off-signers. However, the turnaround time for results is 4-5 working days and crew will remain onboard until negative test received.
  10. Medical physician can be arranged for off signers testing.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Bahamas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at [email protected])

Source: Elnet Maritime – GAC agent

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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