Restrictions imposed on the entry and exit of seafarers and associated personnel at any of the country’s ports, which are virtually closed to all international trade cargo except that deemed to be essential supplies during the 21-day lockdown are constantly under review, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Friday.
In terms of the new special rules, seafarers on vessels dropping anchor at or near any SA port are not allowed to disembark and they are therefore not permitted to change crews, even if the seafarers are South African.
South African Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula
Mbalula said that the decision to review this restriction came in the wake of an incident in Durban where a crew of six South African seafarers on a cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2 had not been allowed to disembark according to the lockdown rules.
“These South Africans want to disembark and return home. However, our regulations do not allow crew changes at any of our ports, even if these are South Africans. This is a matter we are urgently considering,” he said.
Meanwhile, Samsa has revealed that there will be no training of seafarers for short courses over the lockdown period, although academic programmes may continue through ‘e-learning’ platforms
Assessments for seafarer certification will also not be undertaken which means seafarers whose certificates expire will not able to attend refresher training while some will be unable to sign off their vessels. “Samsa has granted a general extension for all certificates expiring during the National State of Disaster as set out in the marine notice,” a spokesman said.
“The production of this marine notice will therefore be sufficient for seafarers working on vessels trading within the South African ports.
