Covid outbreak aboard Coral Geographer in Darwin Harbour

At least 20 passengers and crew aboard a vessel docked in Darwin were taken into hotel quarantine following an outbreak of Covid-19.

THE operator of a cruise boat which suffered a Covid-19 outbreak has sought to assure the public proper help was afforded to passengers and crew infected with the virus.

NT Health on Tuesday said 17 people aboard the Coral Geographer were taken to various hotels across Darwin on Tuesday afternoon after the vessel docked in the Top End earlier that day.

There were 74 guests and 38 crew aboard the vessel, with the majority screened as negative for the virus and allowed to leave.

Later, at around 1.30pm, the infected passengers were moved on shore.

Coral Expeditions Commercial director Jeff Gillies said the company had complied with directions from NT and WA Health.

Infected passengers were put aboard a bus. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

“In the NT, maritime vessels are permitted to allow positive cases and close contacts to safely disembark and move to suitable accommodation to complete their isolation requirements,” Mr Gillies said.

“This was managed in Darwin (on Tuesday) by Coral Expeditions who arranged transport and lodgings in a safe manner and in full collaboration with health authorities. All unaffected guests and crew disembarked as normal.”

Mr Gillies said medical assistance had been offered to positive cases, with “unaffected guests and crew” able to disembark from the vessel as per government regulations.

He said outbreaks were now common in the travel sector.

The Howard Springs quarantine facility was not available, having been mothballed earlier this year.

In response to a request for comment, an NT Health spokesman said all cruise vessels in the NT were required to have a Covid-19 management plan.

“In addition, all vessels must have a resident health professional on-board during periods of cruising, who will also be a designated COVID-19 Safety Supervisor,” the spokesman said.

“There is also a capacity limit of 350 passengers and crew on board a vessel at any time in NT waters.”

PASSENGERS and crew aboard a $3000-a-night cruise off the Kimberley Coast will be forced into isolation at Darwin CBD hotels after a “hellish” Covid-19 outbreak on board.

One passenger, who has asked to remain anonymous, has told the NT News she and roughly 20 other passengers and crew have been forced to stay aboard the Coral Geographer until Tuesday afternoon after coming down with Covid-19.

Meanwhile, around 50 other people who were on board the 10-day cruise have disembarked because they aren’t displaying symptoms of the virus.

The passenger, who caught Covid-19 while on her $3000-a-night cruise, said being on board the vessel for a number of days with the virus felt “like a jail”.

The Coral Geographer. Picture: Supplied/File.

“Your dinner (is) handed to you in plastic plates at 9pm,” she said.

“It started with the staff. A staff member was the first to declare they were positive.”

The passenger described the situation as “hellish” and criticised the lack of timely medical supplies.

“There should’ve been a doctor on board and not a doctor who is a passenger. We should’ve had access to telehealth.”

It’s understood those stricken with the virus will be booked in to isolate at hotels in the city.

She said passengers were being advised to claim the hotel bills on their health insurance.

Coral Expeditions, who operate the vessel, and the NT Health Minister have been contacted for comment.

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Originally published as Covid outbreak aboard Coral Geographer in Darwin Harbour