CEBU CITY, Oct. 16 (PIA) -- The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) announced that Cebu’s One-Stop Shop (OSS) for Crew Change has been activated and will start receiving requests from domestic and foreign vessels on Oct. 16, 2020.
This after the conduct of a simulation activity of the crew change protocols for the port of Cebu on Oct. 15, 2020 led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Raul Del Rosario and Assistant Secretary Narciso Vingson Jr.
After establishing and finalizing all preparations and safety loops for crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic, CPA General Manager Leonilo Miole said DOTr confirmed the activation of the Cebu’s crew change hub and granted the approval to begin operations and facilitate the procedures for crew change.
"This is a milestone for the Port of Cebu, the maritime partners, our seafarers but also for Cebu in general, as this waa also seen to generate economic activities and revenues," Miole added.
Cebu's crew change hub will cater to the following:Filipino seafarers joining a ship docked in the Philippines for overseas (outbound); Filipino seafarers leaving a ship (inbound); foreign seafarers joining a ship docked in the Philippine seaport from the airport (airport to ship); and foreign seafarers leaving a ship docked in the Philippine seaport to an airport (ship to airport).
Miole assured the public that safety protocols are put in place to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus during the crew change.
All arriving vessels shall stay at the designated anchorage or docking site authorized by CPA and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Disembarking seafarers must observe health and safety protocols such as disinfection, handwashing, social distancing, and wearing of full personal protective equipment (PPE) - face mask, face shield, gloves, and hazmat suit.
Upon arrival at the OSS facility, seafarers must immediately proceed to the registration booth and undergo the mandatory swab testing procedure.
After completing the OSS procedures, seafarers should immediately board their assigned vehicle bound to their designated quarantine facility approved by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) while waiting for their swab test results.
On the other hand, for embarking seafarers, only seafarers with negative COVID-19 test results and Certification of Containment shall be allowed to embark.
Health and safety protocols must also be observed by the embarking crews.
To mark the official activation of the country's newest crew change hub, a launching ceremony will be conducted today, Oct. 16, 2020, at the Cebu Port Crew Change Hub at the Port of Cebu, Passenger Terminal 2 in Pier 3.
To date, other crew change hubs are at the Port of Manila, Port of Capinpin in Bataan, and Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
DOTr is activating crew change hubs in the country to give maritime vessels the avenue to refresh their manpower and to facilitate the movement of our seafarers serving beyond the limits. (jsme/PIA7 Cebu/ with reports from CPA)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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