Crew forced to isolate at sea
A Taranaki survey ship’s crew who returned negative Covid-19 tests before spending 19 days alone at sea have been ordered to isolate offshore until the end of the month.
The 18 seafarers aboard the MMA Vision, managed by New Plymouth-based Kingston Offshore Services, have not seen another island, or come into contact with anyone, since leaving New Zealand more than two weeks ago. But they have been denied an MIQ exemption.
The managing director of Kingston Offshore said the situation is ‘‘a bit odd’’, and the mayor of New Plymouth is calling for a rethink, but the Taranaki District Health Board (TDHB) said it had to abide by the rules.
The MMA Vision was expected to return to Port Taranaki on Sunday.
A TDHB preliminary public health risk assessment found the crew were low risk and could return, but then found the maritime border order states that because the crew were in international waters, they must isolate for 14 days.
Those 14 days started on October 18 when the crew started their voyage back to New Zealand.
Kurt Aldam, managing director of Kingston Offshore, said a partial crew change had been set to take place this weekend.
He had asked if the crew members who were set to come off could be tested and then isolate at home, but that was turned down. ‘‘It just doesn’t add up,’’ Aldam said.
The crew was used to being away for up to a month, so this would not affect them too much, he added, but it was more the principal of the situation.
‘‘They would happily do it [isolate], but it makes no sense whatsoever.’’
The vessel had been undertaking survey work of the sea floor for the new Southern Cross Cable, which will double New Zealand’s internet capacity.
All of the crew received negative Covid test results before boarding in Auckland on October 2. They then travelled to 150 kilometres east of Lord Howe Island, in the middle of the Tasman Sea, to undertake their work.
New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom was shocked to hear of the dilemma.
He said he had been working to make a change in marine rules around Covid, and was hoping to meet with the Minister for Covid19 Response, Chris Hipkins, in the near future.
‘‘It’s just nonsense,’’ Holdom said. ‘‘These guys haven’t been anywhere.’’
The mayor said he was not only thinking about the men, but the families on shore waiting for them.
‘‘Sharpen up and let them in,’’ he said.
Holdom said it would be costing the Taranaki firm time and money to have the crew sitting offshore, not working.
‘‘We want all of our businesses to get through a very tough time,’’ Holdom said. ‘‘They’re [the Government] making it so hard for businesses.’’
Taranaki Medical Officer of Health Dr Jonathan Jarman said he understood this ‘‘could be frustrating’’ for the company and crew.
Jarman said Kingston Offshore had got in touch a few weeks ago to ask about the possibility of coming into port.
He said while the TDHB’S preliminary public health risk assessment showed the crew was low risk, they sought legal clarification on the maritime border order.
‘‘Unfortunately, we have got advice back and there’s no room for discrepancies,’’ he said. ‘‘We still have to comply with the maritime border order.’’
The purpose of the order is to limit the risk of an outbreak, or spread, of Covid through international voyages, and Jarman said this was classed as one, despite the crew not stopping anywhere. ‘‘It’s a legal document, it’s very prescriptive.’’
In an emailed response to questions, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said it is not legally able to provide an exemption to the maritime border order. However, it said shipping companies can apply for a ministerial exemption.