DOTr Maritime Sector Press Release
13 May 2021
DOTr Maritime Sector continues to extend aid to 21 affected Filipino seafarers onboard MV Athens Bridge
MANILA – The national government, through the maritime sector of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), consisting of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Office for Transportation Security (OTS), and other agency members of the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) Port of Manila, continues to extend its aid to the 21 Filipino crew members who were aboard the vessel MV “Athens Bridge”, which came from India.
The affected seafarers were promptly evacuated from the ship last Friday, 07 May 2021, after the PCG was informed of the critical state of the two (2) Filipino seafarers who needed urgent medical attention.
All 12 Filipino crew members who tested positive for COVID-19 have been extracted from the vessel and transferred to their BOQ-assigned facilities. Four (4) seafarers, including the two (2) that were reported to be in critical condition, have been hospitalized and are receiving appropriate medical treatment. The remaining eight (
crew, who are currently staying in a quarantine facility monitored by the BOQ, are in stable condition.
Meanwhile, the nine (9) crew members who tested negative will remain on the ship until the replacement crew is scheduled to board the vessel on 14 May 2021. MV “Athens Bridge” will be thoroughly disinfected before the boarding of the on signers.
On 12 May 2021, the MARINA expedited the processing of the issuance of Certificates of Proficiency (COPs) of five (5) on signers or replacement crew for the said vessel.
The BOQ reported that the COVID-19 specimen that has been collected from the crew members has already been submitted to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) to identify the COVID-19 variant that has caused their infection. The results from the laboratory are estimated to arrive within three weeks.
Presently, the vessel MV “Athens Bridge” remains at the quarantine anchorage area, where it is well-guarded by designated personnel from the PCG. Meanwhile, the BOQ personnel present during the disembarkation, and other individuals with possible exposure have been placed under quarantine as part of the measures taken to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The maritime sector of the DOTr urges its stakeholders to exercise and promote strict health protocols during shipping operations and to closely follow established quarantine measures, as a way to deter the possible transmission of the COVID-19 disease among seafarers.
The Philippine government assures the public that it will continue to manage the situation through the initiatives of various agencies under the maritime sector, ensuring the health and welfare of the crew members involved. Additionally, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be providing assistance to the 21 seafarers together with the MARINO Party-list which has also pledged to extend its support.
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