MHA finalises procedure, paves way for seafarer’s RETURN

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday finalised the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sign in and sign off of seafarers on ships, paving the way for disembarking of Goan seafarers stranded off Mumbai.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant took to Twitter to announce MHA’s decision saying, “I thank the PM @NarendraModi ji and HM @Amitshah ji for permitting the disembarking of seafarers at Indian ports. Goans stranded on the high seas will now soon be back home.”

He added, “I would also request all the seafarers and their families to support the government in the safe return of all our stranded brothers and sisters.” 

Union Minister of State for AYUSH and MoS Defence, Shripad Naik, who was in Delhi to resolve the seafarers issue said the seafarers stranded at Mumbai on the cruise ship Marella Discovery will be able to disembark on Wednesday. “The DG Shipping will issue them NoC for sign off tomorrow and then the seafarers can disembark before the ship departs,” he said. 

As per the SOP, Indian seafarers on the vessel would undergo the COVID-19 test for confirmation that he or she is negative for COVID-19. 

“After disembarking and to the time the seafarer reaches the testing facility within the port premises, it will be ensured by the ship owner that all safety precautions as per standard health protocol are observed. Till the time test reports of the seafarer are received the seafarer shall be kept in the quarantine facility by the Port State Health Authorities,” the SOP says.

Further, it says that if the seafarer is tested positive for COVID-19, he/she will be dealt with as per the procedures laid down by MOHFW.

“For the seafarer tested negative and signed off the Local Authority in the area where the seafarer disembarks will be intimated about his/ her clearance for sign-off, and for issue of a transit pass from the place of disembarkation to the place of his/her residence. The transit pass for such movement by road, for the seafarer and one driver may be issued by the Government of the State/Union Territory where the seafarer disembarks,” it says.

The SOP adds that DG (Shipping) will prescribe the detailed protocol with regard to sign-on and sign-off to be followed in the above cases.