Recommended action to facilitate ship crew change, access to medical care and seafarer travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, 21st September 2020 (IMO Doc MSC.473(ES.2), IMO Doc ALCOM/ES/WP.1/Add.1/Rev.1 Annex I), OXIO 627

The content of Resolution MSC.473(ES.2) can be summarized in five main points and one invitation to IMO Member States.

The first point pertains to the implementation of the Framework of Protocols. The second point pertains to the designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’ in order to facilitate safe and unhindered movement for embarking or disembarking a vessel. The third point pertains to the consideration of temporary migration measures to ease mobility of seafarers, eg waivers or relaxations of visa or documentary requirements. The fourth point is on the use of prevention measures such as testing crews before embarkation; this requires active conduct by port states, namely providing access to personal protective equipment and testing facilities. The fifth point is on providing seafarers with immediate access to medical care and facilities, as well as with evacuation when the assistance required cannot be provided on board or at port; this aims to prevent humanitarian situations such as casualties onboard vessels due to lack of access to intensive care units.

Furthermore, the Resolution invites Member States to designate a National Focal Point on Crew Change and Repatriation of Seafarers (‘National Focal Point’).