seafarertimes.com ~ Maritime News for Filipino Seafarers

PCG conducts COVID-19 tests on seafarers onboard cruise ships docked in Manila Bay
Betheena Unite May 6, 2020 https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/06/pcg-conducts-covid-19-tests-on-seafare...

After staying aboard cruise ships at the Manila Bay anchorage for days now, hundreds of returning Filipino seafarers from various ships were finally tested for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday (May 6).

Cruise companies accused of refusing to let stranded crew disembark due to cost
Patrick Greenfieldand Erin McCormick 5 May 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/05/cruise-companies-acc...

Death toll of crew stranded by coronavirus continues to rise as industry blames ‘impractical’ safety requirements for blocking disembarkation

Over 100 Filipino crew leave virus-hit cruise ship in Nagasaki
Kyodo May 5, 2020 https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/05/05/national/science-health/fil...

NAGASAKI – A group of 130 crew members from the Philippines and other nations left a cruise ship docked in the city of Nagasaki for their countries Tuesday after they tested negative for the coronavirus, the Nagasaki Prefectural Government has said.

Coronavirus-hit Ruby Princess cruise ship crew partied after passengers disembarked in Sydney
Jason Om and Alex McDonald 6 May 2020

Scores of crew members on the Ruby Princess celebrated with a party on the day it docked in Sydney unaware of the public health disaster that was about to happen.

It was March 19 — about a week after the World Health Organisation had declared a global coronavirus pandemic — and on the ship, dancers and musicians put on a show for everyone from the galley hands to the uniformed officers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Flags ‘Going Concern’ Over Ability to Stay Afloat
Nivedita Balu and Helen Coster /Reuters May 5, 2020 https://gcaptain.com/cash-strapped-norwegian-cruise-line-flags-going-con...

Manning sector warns of massive unemployment
Yashika F. Torib May 6, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/06/business/maritime-business/mannin...

Over 4,000 Filipino seafarers set to arrive in PH ports by May 17
Cathrine Gonzales | May 05,2020 - https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/307933/over-4000-filipino-seafarers-s...

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 4,559 overseas Filipino workers from different cruise ships are expected to disembark at the country’s ports by May 17, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Seafarers poll reveals dread, fatigue and burn out onboard during the Covid-19 pandemic
Sam Chambers 5 May 2020 https://splash247.com/seafarers-poll-reveals-dread-fatigue-and-burn-out-...

Oman allowing crew changes in ‘special circumstances’
Marcus Hand | May 05, 2020 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulation/oman-allowing-crew-changes-...

Oman has joined a number of other states in allowing crew changes in “special circumstances” in a slight easing on restrictions at ports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distress signal: Stuck on a never-ending cargo voyage in a pandemic
Kate Whitehead 4 Mat 2020 https://www.inkstonenews.com/health/coronavirus-distress-signal-cargo-sh...

Forced to remain at sea to keep global trade flowing, thousands of seafarers are waiting for a chance to return home. But as stress and fatigue mount, who will let them disembark?