Port giant ABP has underlined how it is keeping Britain trading - in the safest possible way - during the coronavirus pandemic.
Special procedures have been called upon just once for a suspected seafarer’s Covid-19 case - ultimately found to test negative - but robust measures are in place.
Dafydd Williams, group head of marketing and communications, told how safety always comes first.
Every vessel visiting the Humber must submit a health declaration prior to arrival. If in the unfortunate case that a ship reports a suspected case of Covid-19, then an individual risk assessment is carried out in consultation with the Port Health Authority, and Public Health England.
Mr Williams said: “As the harbour authority it would be easy for ABP to just turn the ship away; however, we feel we have wider responsibility to consider the strategic importance of the ship to the UK as a whole.
“With the Port of Immingham handling 10 per cent of the UK’s energy this could be a vital cog missing from the machine.
“For example, this could be a vessel involved in offshore wind farm operations supporting the National Grid which in turn keeps our lights on at home and more importantly in our hospitals. We also have a responsibility to consider the welfare of the ship’s crews.”
Actions involve ensuring that the seafarer displaying symptoms is confined to their cabin. That means communal areas are thoroughly cleaned down, there is a safe access route for the pilot, and social distancing is maintained on-board.
So far, one vessel arriving in Grimsby reported a suspected case of Covid-19. The crew member was isolated in a cabin and upon reaching the port the crew were not allowed to leave the vessel.
The individual showing symptoms was taken, securely, to hospital where he subsequently tested negative.
Mr Williams added: “ABP is incredibly proud to say that during these difficult times their key workers, which include marine pilots, launch crews, vessel traffic system operators - who operate like air traffic control but for ships - port control officers, lock operators and operations staff, have shown a great amount of professionalism, dedication and commitment.
“Facing up to the many challenges of operating during a pandemic in such a positive way, has kept that vital link in the UK supply chain which is quite literally keeping Britain trading.”
