Sick crew ‘need aid’

Unions call for assistance for virus-affected Fremantle vessel

MARITIME unions want every seafarer on board a coronavirus-infected livestock ship docked in Fremantle to be tested for the virus.

Up to six port workers went on to the Al Kuwait after it arrived on Friday afternoon and six of the 48 multinational crew have since tested positive to the coronavirus.

International Transport Workers’ Federation national co-ordinator Dean Summers said the organisation had asked the State Government to test all crew and provide health services.

“Make sure that the highest priority is their welfare, not to get the ship away from the wharf,” Mr Summers told ABC radio yesterday.

Contact tracing is under way for the port workers, who are in isolation, and West Australian Premier Mark Mcgowan said he expected more crew would test positive.

He wants the vessel to set sail as soon as possible.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the ship would not be able to return to the Middle East before the June 1 northern summer live export deadline, which was implemented last year after the Awassi Express mass sheep death scandal. He said the “independent regulator” – his own department – might grant an exemption.

“As far as I know, they’re ready to sail,” Mr Littleproud said. “That can only happen after two things; firstly, there’s a deep clean of the boat, and crew are healthy enough.”

That could take well the northern summer.

The RSPCA said an exempinto tion should not be granted under any circumstances.

The WA Government complained on Tuesday the federal Department of Agriculture failed to advise Fremantle Ports Authority that some crew members were unwell.

But Mr Littleproud said an email was sent to WA’S Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, the protocol set out by the state, on Friday morning.