The Unclean Not Allowed into Delano

Cadets might want to rethink getting the vaccine so that it won't impact their sea year...

According to the latest Masters, Mates and Pilots Union 'Wheelhouse Weekly' newsletter, as of 1 October, Matson Navigation Company will require only fully vaccinated individuals on board their vessels as a crew member, port relief officer or shoregang/standby labor. Currently Matson runs 19 vessels. That's a whole lot of berths that unvaccinated cadets are going to be restricted from filling.. I would expect most, if not all MM&P contract companies, will probably follow suit and implement the same requirement in the coming months. Remember, without sea time a cadet can't sit for a license or graduate..
Another thing to consider, is even if companies don't require them, crew members may be restricted to their ship by local health authorities in foreign ports if they are unable to show proof of vaccination...
And that's the real answer, isn't it? Personal feelings about the vax aside, it looks like you're going to get it if you want to work. I follow a Merchant Marine YouTuber (from another country), and according to him, a lot of ports require proof for vax, as does his company.
 
And that's the real answer, isn't it? Personal feelings about the vax aside, it looks like you're going to get it if you want to work. I follow a Merchant Marine YouTuber (from another country), and according to him, a lot of ports require proof for vax, as does his company.
Well, most (all?) west African countries require a yellow fever vaccination, too. Not sure what is issued these days at KP, but back when I was there, we were issued a yellow "Shot Card". It was a paper booklet that recorded our vaccinations. A whole lot were given before sea year. When I continued to sail, and even once I came ashore, I would get it updated as required for travel. I still have it, and had it endorsed for my Covid shots, too.
 
Most (if not all) ships right now are not letting you go ashore anywhere even if you are vaccinated. Many are paying for a two week quarantine in a hotel at your port of origin before you come aboard, with a negative COVID-19 test before quarantine. Matson is the only company I have heard of requiring mandatory vax. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I know KP'ers currently sailing on Maersk and Crowley ships and those companies at least do not require COVID-19 vax.
 
Well, most (all?) west African countries require a yellow fever vaccination, too. Not sure what is issued these days at KP, but back when I was there, we were issued a yellow "Shot Card". It was a paper booklet that recorded our vaccinations. A whole lot were given before sea year. When I continued to sail, and even once I came ashore, I would get it updated as required for travel. I still have it, and had it endorsed for my Covid shots, too.
shotcard.png
 
Most (if not all) ships right now are not letting you go ashore anywhere even if you are vaccinated. Many are paying for a two week quarantine in a hotel at your port of origin before you come aboard, with a negative COVID-19 test before quarantine. Matson is the only company I have heard of requiring mandatory vax. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I know KP'ers currently sailing on Maersk and Crowley ships and those companies at least do not require COVID-19 vax.
My DS is on an ARC ship. I don’t believe covid vax is mandatory however, DS is vaccinated. He did not have a hotel room quarantine but still had to quarantine on the ship for the first 2 weeks. He had to get his food and take it to his room to eat. He has to wear a mask anywhere in common grounds and even in the engine room it is mask 100% of the time even for those vaccinated. He was able to get off in Germany, England and Galveston, TX. He was not able to get off in Antwerp, Belgium but I’m not sure if that was due to rules or being so busy changing 2 fuel pumps that there just wasn’t any time. He is currently in Mexico but I will have to ask if he’s been able to leave the ship as I am not certain.
 
My DS is on an ARC ship. I don’t believe covid vax is mandatory however, DS is vaccinated. He did not have a hotel room quarantine but still had to quarantine on the ship for the first 2 weeks. He had to get his food and take it to his room to eat. He has to wear a mask anywhere in common grounds and even in the engine room it is mask 100% of the time even for those vaccinated. He was able to get off in Germany, England and Galveston, TX. He was not able to get off in Antwerp, Belgium but I’m not sure if that was due to rules or being so busy changing 2 fuel pumps that there just wasn’t any time. He is currently in Mexico but I will have to ask if he’s been able to leave the ship as I am not certain.
I wasn't paying attention to the vax info...I was excited for my DS when he gets to go to sea and visit all of these countries! Wow!
 
He was able to get off in Germany, England and Galveston, TX. He was not able to get off in Antwerp, Belgium but I’m not sure if that was due to rules or being so busy changing 2 fuel pumps that there just wasn’t any time. He is currently in Mexico but I will have to ask if he’s been able to leave the ship as I am not certain.
My kids ship runs in the US East Coast to Northern Europe service [including the port of Antwerp] and, to date, he said he has seen no restriction to shore leave at any of the ports they call in, no matter what your vaccination status is. He also said it wouldn't surprise him if that changed.
Most (if not all) ships right now are not letting you go ashore anywhere even if you are vaccinated. Many are paying for a two week quarantine in a hotel at your port of origin before you come aboard, with a negative COVID-19 test before quarantine. Matson is the only company I have heard of requiring mandatory vax. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. I know KP'ers currently sailing on Maersk and Crowley ships and those companies at least do not require COVID-19 vax.
As of right now Matson is the only MM&P contract company that is requiring the vaccine.. Here’s where things could start to get complicated though. This is speculation, but what I can easily see happening is port health authorities beginning to denying 'free pratique' to ships if the entire crew can’t show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test for COVID; and that is regardless of the captain submitting a ‘clean’ Maritime Declaration of Health form.. Without the proof of vaccine or negative tests a ship could be detained in a quarantine anchorage until the crew can be tested and the results of those tests are received back.. and that could take awhile. Companies, especially in a line haul trade, will simply not put up with those kind of delays; and they will do, or require, whatever it takes to try and avoid them.. Knowing how Matson stresses schedule adherence, I believe that's what's driving their decision to require vaccines.. It's a competitive business and merchant ships don't make money when they sit idle.. There's a saying in the maritime industry, "if the cargo isn't moving the ship better be.. and vice versa"..
 
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