Instructions on Emergency Rescue and Handling of Sick and Wounded Seafarers During COVID-19

1、Handling of sick and wounded seafarers on Chinese ships while abroad

(1) Shipping companies shall report to Chinese maritime administrations as soon as possible after receiving report from ships. Ships can also apply for remote medical guidance in accordance with procedures and relevant international guidelines.

(2) Should the seafarer needs to be sent to the shore for emergency rescue, ships can report to embassies or consulates abroad for assistance. Embassies and consulates should, given the needs from ships, seafarer health situation and local medical condition, rescue wounded seafarers by coordinating with local governments and medical departments according to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and International Health Regulations (IHR). As the responsible entity, shipping companies shall provide necessary resources.

(3) Chinese maritime administrations shall urge shipping companies to provide necessary support for sick and wounded seafarers in accordance with the emergency incident handling procedures.

(4) If confirmed or suspected cases are found on ships and coastal or port states refuse to provide emergency assistance, the Ministry of Transport shall notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and urge foreign parties to arrange emergency rescue through diplomatic channels; Seafarers can seek help from local port authorities in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

2. Handling of sick and wounded Chinese seafarers on foreign ships while abroad

(1) After receiving reports, crew companies shall first report to local Chinese embassies or consulates for assistance and report the situation to Chinese maritime administrations in time.

(2) Chinese maritime administrations shall urge crew companies to provide necessary support for seafarers in accordance with the emergency incident handling procedures, and report the situation to the Ministry of Transport in a timely manner.

(3) The Ministry of Transport may contact the authority of flag State to coordinate when necessary.

3. Handling of sick and wounded seafarers at Chinese ports

(1) Seafarers who get injured or ill at Chinese ports, regardless of whether they belong to the “four types of personnel”, should receive medical treatment, and if necessary, be transferred to local hospitals. After receiving requests for rescue from ships, local marine search and rescue centers shall learn the seafarer situation and health status of all crew members on board. Local maritime administrations shall report to the customs, border inspection and local government (including the health and safety department) and cooperate with relevant departments to confirm whether there is an epidemic on board.

(2) The Maritime Search and Rescue Center shall coordinate the rescue operations in accordance with the relevant emergency handling procedures, and cooperate with relevant departments in accordance with the relevant regulations of the local government during the epidemic prevention and control period, and rescue sick and wounded seafarers in a timely manner.

(3) When necessary, maritime administrations shall carry out maintenance of the water traffic during the crew transfer and rescue, and cooperate with relevant departments to carry out rescue work.

(4) Local authorities shall do a good job of reporting to foreign embassies and consulates in China.

Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Health Commission, General Administration of Customs, National Immigration Administration

April 12, 2020