Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland

Effective from: 9:30pm AEST 22 January 2022 until 28 April 2022

Posted: 22 January 2022

Revoked on: 28 April 2022

Version 13

Application

  1. This is the protocol for maritime crew approved by the Chief Health Officer referred to in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.20) or it’s successors, unless otherwise revoked or amended. The Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No. 20) is made under s362B of the Public Health Act 2005.

  2. The protocol applies to:

    1. maritime crew who have been overseas in the 14 days prior to entry to Queensland and who are required to operate or provide services to support the operation of a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length; collectively referred to as a vessel.

  3. The protocol does not apply to:

    1. cruise vessels, private vessels, super yachts or recreational vessels.

    2. vessels operated by the Australian Defence Force, Australian Border Force or vessels operated by the naval, military or air force of a foreign country. Any persons, including maritime crew members, on these vessels will be subject to the requirements under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.20) or it’s successors.

Checklist

  1. A Crew Changeover Checklist must be completed for each vessel where there are unvaccinated maritime crew joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland. The completed Crew Changeover Checklist must be endorsed by the Regional Harbour Master prior to a crew changeover taking place.

  2. The Crew Changeover Checklist is available on the Maritime Safety Queensland website.

Maritime crew joining a vessel in Queensland

  1. A fully vaccinated maritime crew member who has been overseas in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland must undertake a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after arriving and quarantine until a negative test result is received.

    Note: a person who becomes a confirmed case of COVID-19 must continue to isolate as per the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

  2. Despite paragraph 6, a maritime crew member who has had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 7 days prior to entering Queensland must quarantine in government-nominated accommodation for 7 days prior to joining the vessel, and comply with the requirements for a close contact in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

  3. A maritime crew member entering Queensland to join a vessel in Queensland, will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they are unvaccinated, and have been in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland.

  4. A maritime crew member required to quarantine under paragraph 8 must quarantine on the vessel or in government-nominated accommodation for 14 days prior to joining the vessel unless:

    1. they use an endorsed transport provider to transfer directly to join the vessel. If there is a delay between arrival and joining the vessel they quarantine in government-nominated accommodation and comply with the testing requirements in this protocol; and

    2. during transit, interactions with the Queensland community are limited to the greatest extent possible; and

    3. they wear a surgical mask and observe social distancing practices while in transit.

    Note: quarantining on a vessel means a maritime crew member does not disembark the vessel until they have completed the quarantine period and would otherwise be permitted to leave the vessel in accordance with this Protocol.

  5. An unvaccinated maritime crew member entering Australia from overseas and arriving in a jurisdiction other than Queensland, must quarantine for 14 days at the point of arrival unless the receiving Australian State or Territory has different requirements, in which case a maritime crew member must quarantine for any period relevant to that Australian State or Territory before travelling to Queensland to join a vessel, unless an exemption has been granted by the Queensland Chief Health Officer.

Maritime crew signing off a vessel in Queensland

  1. A fully vaccinated maritime crew member who signs off a vessel in Queensland must undertake a COVID-19 test within 24 hours after disembarking the vessel and quarantine on the vessel, accommodation or a residence until they receive a negative test result.

    Note: a person who becomes a confirmed case of COVID-19 must continue to isolate as per the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

  2. An unvaccinated maritime crew member who signs off a vessel in Queensland must quarantine for 14 days in  government-nominated accommodation unless:

    1. it has been 14 days or more since the vessel conducted a port visit, in which case time at sea since the last port contact will count towards quarantine on arrival in Queensland; or

    2. the person, without leaving the confines of the port, immediately joins a vessel to undertake an interstate voyage.

  3. Despite paragraph 12 an unvaccinated maritime crew member who signs off a vessel that has undertaken a Queensland intrastate voyage or interstate voyage, will not be required to quarantine unless:

    1. they have been overseas as part of any other travel in the preceding 14 days; or

    2. they are a foreign national, arriving in Queensland or another Australian jurisdiction from overseas, and they did not complete 14 days of mandatory government quarantine in an Australian jurisdiction prior to joining the vessel.

    Note: the 14 days of quarantine may be a combined total if quarantine periods have occurred simultaneously in different Australian jurisdictions. For example, a maritime crew member lands in New South Wales and completes three days of government quarantine before transiting directly to Queensland and completes the balance of 14 days quarantine in government-nominated accommodation or on the vessel.

  4. Despite paragraphs 12 and 13, any off-signing maritime crew member who has had close contact with a diagnosed case of COVID-19 must quarantine for a period 7 days in government-nominated accommodation and comply with the requirements for a close contact in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 3) or its successors.

  5. A maritime crew member required to quarantine under paragraph 12 or 14, may disembark the vessel to:

    1. travel directly to a vessel or government-nominated accommodation to quarantine by an endorsed transport provider; or

    2. travel to a Queensland airport, by the most direct route practicable, to depart Australia using an endorsed transport provider. If there is a time delay between disembarking the vessel and leaving Australia via an airport, a maritime crew member must quarantine in government-nominated accommodation; or

    3. travel to another vessel in Queensland by the most direct route practicable, where that vessel will be leaving Queensland, using an endorsed transport provider If there is a time delay between disembarking the vessel and joining the next vessel in Queensland, a maritime crew member must quarantine in government-nominated accommodation and comply with the COVID-19 test requirements in this Protocol.

  6. During transit, a maritime crew member permitted to travel under paragraph 15 must wear a surgical mask, observe social distancing practices and limit interactions with the Queensland community to the greatest extent possible, including when travelling from quarantine to a Queensland airport.

Quarantine conditions and testing requirements

  1. For the purposes of this protocol, time spent at sea on a vessel can be counted towards a crew member’s quarantine period if prior to arriving in Queensland no new maritime crew members join the vessel and there has been no port contact.

    Note: If someone is ill or there is a suspected COVID-19 case on the vessel, time aboard the vessel travelling to Queensland does not count towards the 14-day quarantine period.

    Example: an unvaccinated crew member of a vessel who was at sea for 5 days must quarantine either on board the vessel or at government nominated accommodation for 9 days if all passengers and crew members of the vessel did not display symptoms of COVID-19.

    Example: an unvaccinated crew member of a vessel was at sea for 16 days and all crew and passengers of the vessel displayed no symptoms of COVID-19. On arrival in Queensland, the crew member did not need to quarantine.

  2. A maritime crew member who is required to quarantine in Queensland at government- nominated accommodation under this protocol is liable for the costs of the accommodation which may be recovered as a debt by the State.

    Note: If the maritime crew member is not paying the invoice for the costs of the accommodation personally, it is the responsibility of the maritime crew member to give the invoice to the ship’s agent or other person for prompt payment.

  3. A maritime crew member who quarantines in government-nominated accommodation must undertake a COVID-19 test as soon as possible after arrival at the government-nominated accommodation, and on day 5 of their quarantine period.

    Note: a maritime crew member who is permitted to leave quarantine before day 5 of their quarantine period in accordance with paragraph 21 is not required to be tested on day 5.

    Note: a maritime crew member who is transferred to a second hotel at a different location after receiving their first test will not have to be tested again on arrival at the second hotel. They will only require a second test if they are still in quarantine on day 5 (as per usual hotel quarantine testing protocol) or if they report symptoms at any time whilst in hotel quarantine.

    Note: an unvaccinated maritime crew member who disembarks the vessel must quarantine at government nominated accommodation and undertake testing outlined in paragraph 19.

  4. A maritime crew member who refuses a COVID-19 test when requested to do so by an emergency officer (public health), including as soon as possible after arrival at the government-nominated accommodation, and on day 5 of their quarantine period, then the maritime crew member will be required to quarantine for a further period of 14 days.

  5. Despite the quarantine requirements under this protocol, a maritime crew member may leave quarantine, using an endorsed transport provider to travel to:

    1. a Queensland airport to depart Australia provided they meet the testing requirements in this Protocol; or

    2. a vessel, to join the vessel in Queensland for an intended crew changeover under this protocol, provided they meet the testing requirements in this Protocol.

  6. A maritime crew member must comply with any other relevant quarantine conditions listed in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.20) or its successor, or as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

    Example: a maritime crew member who quarantines in government-nominated accommodation must wear a surgical mask when permitted to open the door of their room.

  7. A maritime crew member must not leave quarantine until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result from a test undertaken in Queensland.

  8. A maritime crew member who is required to quarantine in government-nominated accommodation and refuses to undergo a COVID-19 test, must quarantine in accordance with paragraphs 17 to 22 above.

  9. All testing for COVID-19 required under paragraph 19 must be arranged by Queensland Health.

  10. All test results should be communicated to Maritime Safety Queensland as soon as practicable and no later than 24 hours after they have been received.

  11. A maritime crew member who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at any time whilst in Queensland must undergo a COVID-19 test and isolate until they receive a negative result.

  12. A maritime crew member who receives a positive result to a COVID-19 test whilst in Queensland is to be treated as a diagnosed case of COVID-19 and must isolate in accordance with the Isolation for diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and management of close contacts Direction (No.3) or its successors.

Reasons to leave quarantine

  1. A maritime crew member who is in quarantine may leave and return to the quarantine location for the following purposes:

    1. to obtain essential medical care at a hospital or in accordance with advice from an emergency officer (public health); or

    2. to avoid injury or illness, or escape a risk of harm; or

    3. in the event of an emergency situation; or

    4. to conduct essential vessel functions that cannot be carried out by a non-quarantined maritime crew member.

  2. A maritime crew member who leaves quarantine under paragraph 29(a) must:

    1. wear a surgical mask, except in the event of an emergency situation; and

    2. travel by:

      1. ambulance service; or

      2. if ambulance service is not available, as permitted or allowed under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); and

    3. restrict interactions with the Queensland community, if any.

  3. A maritime crew member who leaves quarantine for any of the purposes in paragraph 29(b)-(d) must:

    1. wear a surgical mask, except in the event of an emergency situation; and

    2. travel by:

      1. ambulance service; or

      2. an emergency services vehicle in emergency or serious situations as permitted or allowed under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health); or

      3. an endorsed transport provider; and

    3. restrict interactions with the Queensland community, if any.

Transit

  1. An unvaccinated maritime crew member who enters Queensland to join or disembark a vessel under this protocol, must wear a surgical mask and observe social distancing practices while in transit.

  2. An unvaccinated maritime crew member who fails to wear a surgical mask when transiting under this protocol may be deemed to be operating outside of the protocol and directed to government-nominated accommodation to complete 14 days of quarantine prior to joining the vessel or departing Australia.

  3. All maritime crew members while in Queensland must comply with all public health directions, including requirements for wearing a surgical mask.

Shore leave

  1. A maritime crew member disembarking a vessel in Queensland for shore leave must comply with all requirements for a maritime crew member signing-off a vessel outlined in paragraphs 11 to 16 above.

Emergency referral and retrieval

  1. None of the requirements outlined in this protocol impact on emergency referral and retrieval of maritime crew.

Definitions

  1. At sea means a person has been aboard a vessel outside Queensland waters, and the vessel does not have any:

    1. ill crew or passengers on board; or

    2. suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.

    Note: If someone is sick or there is a suspected case of COVID-19 aboard the vessel, time aboard the vessel travelling to Queensland does not count as days in quarantine.

  2. Close contact means a person who has spent more than 4 hours in an enclosed space with a diagnosed case of COVID-19.

  3. COVID-19 PCR test means an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

    Note: A COVID-19 PCR test does not include a self-test.

  4. COVID-19 test means a COVID-19 PCR test or Rapid Antigen Test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

  5. COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX if the vaccine was obtained overseas.

  6. Diagnosed case of COVID-19 means a person who has been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 who is not a cleared case of COVID-19.

  7. Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

    Note: emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 includes a number of public service officers such as public health officers, police, fire and emergency services.

  8. Endorsed transport provider means a transport provider endorsed by a government authority and with a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

    Note: Information about endorsed transport providers and Transport Plans is available here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/covid-19-testing-for-quarantine-facility-workers/endorsed-transport-providers.

  9. Fully vaccinated means a person who is 16 years of age or older who has received at least the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it has been 7 days since the final dose.

  10. Government-nominated accommodation means a hospital, hotel or other accommodation premises at which the person is directed to quarantine or isolate by an emergency officer (public health) at their own expense in accordance with Chapter 8, Part 7AA of the Public Health Act 2005.

  11. Interstate voyage means an interstate voyage as defined under the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003 (Cth).

  12. Maritime crew means anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a vessel, including supernumeraries.

  13. Nominated premises

    1. a person’s allocated room within government-nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health); or

    2. a place as directed by an emergency officer (public health); or

    3. if no direction is given by an emergency officer, a place where quarantine can be observed, this may include a vessel.

      Note: A person may be directed by an emergency officer (public health) to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation at their own expense in accordance with section 362MC of the Public Health Act 2005.

  14. Queensland intrastate voyage means a voyage beginning or ending in Queensland waters, other than an interstate voyage or overseas voyage as defined under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994.

  15. Surgical mask means a single use, surgical mask with a minimum level 1 barrier protection level under the Australian Standard (AS 4381:2015) that covers the nose and mouth.

  16. Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue.

  17. Unvaccinated means a person is not fully vaccinated

  18. Vessel means a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length. It does not apply to cruise ships, private vessels, super yachts or recreational vessels.

Notes

Cruise ships are subject to the Restricting cruise ships from entering Queensland waters Direction (No.2) or its successor and to the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 (Cth).

Maritime vessels are subject to any General Manager Maritime Safety Queensland Directions issued under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 which may impose time-based arrival restrictions.

After arriving in Queensland from interstate or overseas and completing any necessary quarantine requirements, a marine pilot is not subject to the Protocol while conducting vessel movements in and out of Queensland waters.

Dr John Gerrard
Chief Health Officer

Approved 22 January 2022

Published on the Queensland Health website at 9:30 pm

Last updated: 28 April 2022