Training

COVID-19 MANAGEMENT

Disclaimer: Kindly note that the guidance provided in this website is limited and complete guidance is available to our Inspectors, kindly use this information at your own discretion.

1. Introduction:

Applicable to all SIRE Inspections on Vessels including travel associated with the Inspection.

Purpose & Scope :

This Plan is a supplement to the SMS Manual and shall be used in conjunction with it in the event of an outbreak or suspected outbreak of COVID-19 onboard a vessel which is Inspected.

The Circular will be used by the Inspector to manage an outbreak of Covid-19 onboard.

The guidance provided below is in line with the: – WHO Interim Guidance Operational considerations for managing Covid-19 cases & outbreaks on board ships, – CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019, – ICS (Covid-19) Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers, – INTERTANKO Outbreak Management Plan: Covid-19, – OCIMF Ship Shore Safety Checklist addendum, – IMO Circular 4204/ Add.16 Coronavirus (COVID 19) – COVID-19 related guidelines for ensuring a safe shipboard interface between ship and shore-based personnel.

2. Covid-19 Description :

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus that had not been previously identified in humans. This virus causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia. While some suffered from severe illnesses, including those resulting in deaths, other patients have had milder illnesses and have been discharged. This novel coronavirus has the potential to cause severe disease and death. Worldwide focus now is on containing the virus through preventative measures, in order to limit and slow down widespread transmission.

Means of Transmission :

It will most commonly transmit from an infected person to others via:
• Through droplets from the infected person – transmitted by coughing and sneezing.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
• Touching an object or surface which has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
• The virus can be found in bodily fluids and/ or secretions, such as sweat, saliva, sputum, nasal mucus, vomit, urine and/ or diarrhoea.

Therefore, people who handle the patients may come into contact with these bodily fluids and are also at risk of contracting this disease.
Ship’s staff can protect themselves by using appropriate PPE (esp., Face Mask, etc), washing their hands frequently and avoiding touching their face.

People at Risk, Signs and Symptoms :

• Preliminary information suggests that older adults and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems may be at increased risk of severe disease from this virus.

• The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is between 2 to 14 days.

Signs and symptoms of this illness include Fever, Dry cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing, Loss of taste or smell, In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Patients are considered to have fever if they feel warm to the touch, give a history of feeling feverish or have a measured temperature of 37.5°C or higher. Emergency warning signs for Covid-19 are: Difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, and bluish lips or face. This list is not all-inclusive.

***Critical Information ***

If you observe any of the undermentioned symptoms in the ship’s staff – Fever and / or body ache, Dry Cough, Shortness of breath and / or difficulty in breathing, Loss of taste and / or smell. There is a possibility it could be a case of COVID-19 infection.

Action to be taken :

Following immediate actions are to be taken:

a. Suspend the Inspection / Inform Master of the same / Disembark.
b. Inform Sagital Marines Services & Agent of the Suspended Inspection.
c. Self-Isolate yourself until Medial advice taken from a medical expert.

It is important to remove the possibility of having COVID-19 infection by consulting a doctor. Doctor is best suited to decide further course of action.

3. Preventive Measures to be adopted by Inspector to mitigate COVID-19 risks :

a. Respiratory hygiene :

i. This virus transmits through the air, it spreads by coughing or sneezing, in addition to unclean hands.
ii. Always wear a mask during the Inspection process. Ensure there are no gaps between your face/ nose and the mask. Do not touch a face mask once it’s been put on and clean your hands after removing the mask.
iii. In case the mask gets damp, replace it with a new one and do not re-use single-use masks.

b. Hand hygiene :

i. This virus transmits through human contact, it spreads by contact with unclean hands.
ii. Wash your hands after embarkation, before & after you eat; before & after deck & engine room inspection rounds; after you use the toilet; when your hands are dirty.
iii. Wash your hands with soap and running water when visibly dirty. If notvisibly dirty, wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleanser. Washing of hands with soap and water is to be for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) if soap and water is not available.
iv. Avoid body contact such as shaking hands with any personnel on board, instead use a wave, a nod or a bow, etc., for greetings.

c. Food Hygiene :

i. The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided.

4. Measures to be taken :

a. Prior Joining vessel:

i. All Inspectors must be make themselves aware (through briefing, declaration from Master of vessel etc.) of Covid-19 risks and mitigating measures and submit completed OCIMF form.
ii. Throughout the travel from Home base to embarkation port, Inspector must maintain social distancing of preferably 2 meters (but at least 1 meter) apart.
iii. No hand shaking or other physical contact throughout the transfer period. Maintain hand hygiene through hand washing or use of hand sanitiser.
iv. During the Transit, Inspectors should not meet any friends or relatives. Their stay at port or transit at airports should be minimised to reduce the interaction with their surroundings. In cases where they are required to stay at a hotel, the Inspector should confine themselves to their room.
v. Inspector must wear full PPE (Mask and Gloves) throughout the transit and carry spare PPE with them to replace any that has been used. The used PPE must be stored in zipped plastic bags and be carried by him.
vi. Any soiled or used PPE carried in zipped containment during transit is to be disposed ashore (before joining the vessel) appropriately in discussion with agent.
vii. Wherever possible, the seafarers must pass directly from the arrivals area to a closed and disinfected vehicle for onwards transportation. The vehicle must go directly from the airport to the jetty for transfer to the ship.

b. After Embarking the vessel:

i. Refuse boarding in case anyone is visibly unwell.
ii. Inspector to get sanitized at main deck prior entering the accommodation area.
iii. Personal ‘high touch’ equipment frequently used during the transit i.e.,smartphones, personal laptop, etc are to be sanitised.
v. The following precautions are to be followed: • Inspector must maintain social distancing with New joiners.

• Social distancing must be maintained, particularly during deck, engine room and Bridge rounds.

• Consider different food timings with respect to crew on board.