COVID-19: Tanker all-crew positive test mystery, Chile
Product tanker NAVE BELLATRIX has arrived at Valparaiso anchorage, Chile, from Houston A, with 12 crew tested positive of Coronavirus pandemic, according to FleetMon.
It stated: “Product tanker NAVE BELLATRIX arrived at Valparaiso anchorage, Chile, on Aug 9, from Houston A, with a cargo of, reportedly, diesel. On Aug 15 tanker sailed to Quintero Chile and anchored there. On Aug 20 tanker left Quintero anchorage, bound for Panama Canal. During the period of staying in Chile, according to local sources, all 22 crew were tested positive and taken to isolation center, understood on land, with 1 being hospitalized.
“So, what happened? Houston is one of seamen vaccination international hubs, so in all probability, some or all of the crew were vaccinated during Houston’s stay. The tanker left Chile earlier than it usually takes for ships that were put under quarantine. If all the crew was disembarked, when the new crew replaced the old one, and how did the authorities/managers run the crew change operation? If tanker left Chile manned with the old crew, how come they didn’t go through 14-day “quarantine” detention? If the crew was vaccinated in Houston, what’s the use of vaccination if people are found test-positive after the jab?”
It added: “Shipping needs online regularly updated, open system of registering sea labor vaccination process, including cases of negative side-effects and deaths. It’s vitally important, but there’s no sign such system will be implemented anytime soon, if at all.”
