Vessels calling at Scottish ports

06 Mar 2020 / Scotland, United Kingdom

Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Ports Liaison Network in response to this emerging situation regarding COVID-19, stating that information must be submitted to the Scottish Port Health Authority in the respective port in the following cases, irrespective of whether the vessel is arriving from a foreign port or another UK port:

  • Cruise Vessels - ALL cruise vessels
  • Container and Cargo Vessels - where anyone on board the vessel has travelled from or via any current risk area or if they have been in close contact with confirmed case of COVID-19 infection within the 14 days prior to the vessel arriving in a Scottish Port.

The required information required is the same as that required in the current Maritime Declaration of Health to allow the Port Authority to establish:

  • Any persons unwell during the voyage and/ or on arrival, and any sanitary measures taken in response to that illness
  • Origin of the ship, when it left the origin port, and all ports where the vessel has docked during the 14 days prior to arrival.
  • Any crew changes involving people from risk areas

The Master of the vessel should submit the information using the current MDH form, where possible, for convenience.

Where a port operator or ship’s agent receives notice that there are ill persons on a vessel then:

If the suspected case is a medical emergency, call 999 for medical assistance and inform attending services that the case has originated from a COVID-19 risk area or has had contact with a confirmed case. DO NOT disembark the patient or arrange alternative transport to a hospital until advised to do so. Also ask the Harbour Master to inform the NHS Public Health (local Health Protection Team) and the Port Health Authority (the local authorities).

If the suspected case is not seriously ill, notify the relevant NHS Health Protection Team on 01595 743340, ([email protected]) or 01595 743000 out with office hours. Contact details for the case must be provided with sufficient information to allow the Health Protection Team to determine follow up action. This will include symptoms, duration, contacts and travel history. DO NOT disembark the suspected case.

Below are the contact details for submitting Maritime Declaration of Health:

Lerwick
Tel: 01595 692991
Email: [email protected]

Scalloway
Tel: 01595 744221
Email: [email protected]

Sullom Voe
Tel: 01806 244280
Email: [email protected]

Radio Channel for Harbourmaster:
Lerwick: VHF Channel 12
Scalloway: VHF Channel 14
Sullom Voe: VHF Channel 14

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

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