Ruby Princess crew told ‘end is in sight … but take shorter showers to save water’
Another death has been linked to the coronavirus-stricken Ruby Princess — taking the toll to 19. Meanwhile, the 1000 staff still stuck on the beleaguered ship have been told to take shorter showers to conserve water.
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A 19th death has been linked to the Ruby Princess after an ACT woman in her 60s became the latest passenger fatality from the coronavirus-stricken ship.
The toll rose as crew aboard the Ruby — which is still docked at Port Kembla — were warned the ill-fated vessel now risked running low on water and that they needed to take shorter showers — and only when needed.
The latest passenger from the ship to die of COVID-19 lost her fight in Canberra Hospital on Thursday.
ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith told the ABC the woman’s death was “heartbreaking” for relatives.
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“It is a reminder to all of us of the devastating consequences that can occur from COVID-10 outbreaks, and why we are all working so hard together to flatten the curve,” she said.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has declared preparations are under way for the ship to leave on Sunday but The Daily Telegraph has learned that the ship’s hotel general manager told the crew over the public announcements system on Tuesday to conserve water by timing their showers to a “very short” song.
“Otherwise, we come into a situation that we cannot supply you (the) water to take that shower,” he said in an audio recording obtained by The Daily Telegraph.
A spokesman for Princess Cruises, which operates the ship, said the shortage was a “temporary situation” and “there is no risk to fresh water supply for the ship”.
He said there was a “temporary situation” on Tuesday “while a pipe carrying water from ashore was put in place which has guaranteed supply”.
Princess Cruises yesterday said the health situation on-board the vessel had “stabilised” — paving the way for non-essential crew members who are not sick to disembark the ship and fly home before it sails out.
It’s believed repatriation flights are being considered for some staff, including those from the UK, the US, and Canada.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller claimed yesterday those countries’ consulates were “struggling” to get confirmation from the cruise operator “that these people want to come off and they can come off”.
But in a statement, Princess Cruises said it was “simply working to establish the health clearance process for repatriation arrangements to proceed”.
It’s understood princess Cruises is awaiting final sign-off from NSW Health.
NSW Health did not reply to a request for comment.
Around 1000 crew members remain on-board the vessel and 140 of those have COVID-19.
It’s understood that in the briefing on Tuesday night, the crew were told the “finish line” for their ordeal “is slowly getting in sight”.
“We all have the same final goal. And I want you to be home … just as soon as you can,” the hotel general manager said.
All crew are being advised to complete temperature checks daily, and testing was set to be ramped up from yesterday.
The hotel general manager said when the ship leaves NSW, it will initially sail to the Philippines, to disembark staff who reside in or near Manila.
He said crew members on board needed to ensure the ship is ready to sail when it gets government approval.
“We don’t want to get caught short,” he said
“We want to make certain we have all the necessary fuel, food and provisions. So the next couple of days we will be busy, very busy actually.”
He added that staff were using too much water in their bath and shower facilities.
“It poses a big problem actually. At the moment, we are consuming more water than we can produce or get delivered,” he said.
Yesterday, International Transport Workers’ Union national co-ordinator Dean Summers told The Daily Telegraph the union “is aware that the ship is running low on potable water”. He said the crew have “received bottled water and asked to restrict showers, but that’s unsustainable”.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is yet to finalise the terms of references for a commission of inquiry into the handling of the ship, but she ruled out including the Ovation of the Seas, which has been linked to almost 100 coronavirus cases, in the probe.