Maritime Union offers government a safe solution to stranded seafarers

Maritime Union of Australia

The McGowan Government has left 9 international seafarers stranded on a vessel contaminated with COVID19 in the Port of Port Hedland.

Whilst the vessel is currently at anchor in Port Hedland, port service providers will continue to interact with the crew of the vessel as they bring the necessary supplies to crew stranded on board.
If not managed properly, this crisis could develop into Western Australia’s Ruby Princess.
The Maritime Union of Australia calls on the McGowan government to act swiftly to reduce any further risk to our community and provide these seafarers with the medical assistance they require.
Christy Cain, the Secretary of the West Coast Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia says there’s an easy fix that will protect the people of Western Australia, the economy, and the crew of the Patricia Oldendorff.
Western Australia currently has 100 unemployed seafarers available for immediate deployment.
The Government needs to facilitate bringing the infected crew ashore and into quarantine ensuring they all receive the necessary medical treatment.
Once the crew are ashore, we can commence a comprehensive clean and decontamination of the vessel before arranging for WA based seafarers to crew the vessel on its delivery voyage.
/Public Release.