Inspections by Port State and Flag State inspectors in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dear Master,
To fulfil the task of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) to ensure the safety of ships, ship’s crew and the marine environment we undertake port State control, flag State control and other compliance activities. Safety of the ship’s crew and our staff during these activities is of the utmost importance.
With this document you are informed of measures put in place by the ILT, in accordance with the requirements put down by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, to protect both the ship’s crew and the inspectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For your and our safety the cooperation of the ship’s crew is required.
During an inspection
1) There is to be no physical contact between the inspector and any individual on-board. Vessel crew are to remain at least 1.5 metres from the inspector;
2) The master is to advice the inspector on any sick crew members on board and crew changes within the last 14 days;
3) Inspection related meetings and activities should only take place in rooms with ample space and with minimum attendees. These include areas such as the bridge, control rooms, meeting places or the masters cabin if spacious enough.
It is up to the inspector to agree on the proposed area where meetings will take place;
4) The master is to ensure that only essential crew are to accompany the inspector during the inspection. All non-essential crew to remain well clear and maintain their distance during vessel inspection;
5) In the engine room maintain clear distance and use hand signs where audibility is low. Always maintain safe distance of at least 1.5 metres. Any verbal discussion shall take place in a low noise environment (e.g. ECR);
6) Inspectors will be refraining from normal pleasantries such as handshakes or accepting beverages;
7) The undertaking of frequent cleaning and disinfectant activities is to be encouraged—not just for the inspection;
8) Inspectors will not use on-board lifts at all;
9) Crew members must:
a. refrain from touching any of the port State control officer’s equipment or PPE
b. practice good personal hygiene during inspections—no coughing, sneezing, spitting or smoking
c. wear clean PPE in good condition, so far as practicable.
