Ship berthed off Bell Bay as crew tested before it docks with freight

The crew of a cargo vessel anchored in Tasmania’s north is being tested for Covid-19 after mixing with an infected stevedore. LATEST >>

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ANOTHER ship has caused a Covid-19 scare in Tasmania with a freighter to stay anchored off Bell Bay while the 21-strong crew is tested.

On Friday night, Spirit of Tasmania sailings were postponed as crew who had mixed with a infectious contractor were taken off the ferries and tested.

On Monday, the government announced that all 21 crew on board cargo vessel the African Rook had been classified as close contacts of a Covid-19 positive stevedore from Melbourne

Public Health said it was working closely with TasPorts on the management of the vessel which is not berthed at Bell Bay in a secure port zone.

The stevedore had worked on the African Rook on September 17 in Geelong and later returned a positive test.

All crew were tested on board on Saturday and have returned negative results.

“Crew will remain on board until they complete 14 days quarantine on October 1,” health authorities said.

“They will be retested prior to the vessel being allowed to continue its journey.”

Confirmation of the crew’s status was received on September 20 after the vessel had departed Geelong and as it reached Tasmanian port limits.

It was scheduled to arrive at Devonport to discharge cargo.

The vessel had remained at anchorage at Devonport. Following consultation with TasPorts, “and appropriate due diligence and risk assessment, the vessel was diverted to the port of Bell Bay on September 25.”

Public Health said the ship’s crew posed no risk to the Tasmanian community because they ha stayed on board at all times and had no contact with members of the public.

Originally published as Ship berthed off Bell Bay as crew tested before it docks with freight