Crew change hub activated

25 Nov 2020 / Cebu, Philippines

A crew change hub has been activated at the port of Cebu to facilitate the process for arriving and departing seafarers coming to and from the Visayas.

Safety protocols are in place to avoid possible transmission of COVID-19 during crew change operations.

All arriving vessels will be anchored at the designated anchorage or docking site authorised by the CPA and the Philippine Coast Guard. Disembarking seafarers must observe health and safety protocols such as disinfection, hand washing, social distancing, and wearing of full personal protective equipment – face mask, face shield, gloves, and hazmat suit.

Upon arrival at the Port of Cebu’s OSS facility, seafarers must immediately proceed to the registration booth and undergo mandatory swab testing. After completing the procedures, they will board the assigned vehicles that will take them to their designated quarantine facilities approved by the Bureau of Quarantine, where they will stay while they wait for the release of their swab test results.

For embarking vessel crew members, only those with negative COVID-19 test results and those issued a Certification of Containment will be allowed to board their designated vessels.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at [email protected]

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