The Director of Maritime Safety and Standards at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says that exceptional times need exceptional measures. Katy Ware, who is also the UK’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization says that the industry should be assured that the MCA will do all it can to help during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Survey and inspection activity of ships is currently suspended, however the MCA has put in place a number of measures to make sure that shipping of freight and other vital lifelines will continue. And it has offered guidance and advice to seafarers and shipowners at a time of uncertainty to help.
IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, has issued a statement and broadcast a video (see below) on COVID-19, stressing the essential need to maintain commerce by sea and protect seafarers’ welfare.
