Crew changes update

05 Jul 2021 / Sri Lanka

Crew changes are permitted, currently carried out via land-based isolation centers (ICs) and chartered flights.

However, as per the latest directive from health authorities, if a vessel has carried out a crew change at an Indian port (apart from carrying out a cargo/bunkering operation) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka, crew disembarkation is not allowed until further notice.

Vessels which have exceeded 14 days since the port call may apply for disembarkation approval (except for Indian crew). The authorities will consider approvals on a case-by-case basis.

Air passengers who have been to India, Vietnam, South American Countries & South Africa within 14 days (including transit) are restricted to arrive at Sri Lanka until further notice.

Air passengers who have been to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, & Zimbabwe within 14 days (including transit) are restricted to arrive at Sri Lanka from 1 to 31 July.

Air-passengers who have been to Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain & Kuwait within 14 days may arrive under strict MOH/regulatory conditions. Passengers transiting via these countries are allowed.

Crew disembarking crew from a vessel are required to directly proceed to the IC, where a PCR conducted will be conducted and the crew will remain until results are available. Once a negative PCR result is received, off-signers will be transferred directly to the airport for repatriation as per charter flight schedule. If any crew test positive, provision for treatment should be done in the designated Intermediate Care Facility approved by the Ministry of Health.

A PCR test should be done for every on-signer within 72 hours prior boarding the flight, and should be made available to respective Port Health Officer prior to landing in Sri Lanka. On-signers who arrive to the country by charter flight at MRIA, will be directly transferred to the IC, where a PCR will be conducted and the crew will remain at IC until results are available. Once a negative PCR result is received, on-signers will be transferred directly to the designated port for embarking as per vessel’s ETA.

All seafarers must wear adequate PPE during the transfers.

Crew change are done under the supervision of Sri Lanka Navy who should escort the crew transport vehicle.

Crew changes can take place in Colombo/ Galle ports at berth/ anchorage or OPL. Request for crew changes at Trincomalee/Hambantota/Norochcholai seaports will be handled case-by-case.

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

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.