Patricia Oldendorff has COVID-19 virus cases aboard

The bulk carrier Patricia Oldendorff (114,753 tdw built 2010) is currently anchored off Port Hedland, Western Australia.

Patricia Oldendorff has COVID-19 virus cases aboard
Photo: Oldendorff

Seventeen crewmembers aboard have tested positive for the Corona virus. The company has had excellent support from the Australian Department of Health, AMSA and the Pilbara Ports Authority.

The authorities have been managing the situation with upmost professionalism. Every effort is being made to contain and improve the situation as quickly as possible.

There was a crew change aboard the vessel in the Philippines on September 5, 2020. The crew change was done in compliance with the Department of Transportation in the Philippines, Protocol for Crew Change and Repatriation. All joining crewmembers were quarantined in the Philippines prior to joining the vessel. Approximately 5 days before joining the vessel, all crewmembers were tested with the viral RNA-PCR test. All crewmembers tested negative for the virus before leaving the Philippines.

The vessel arrived off Port Hedland on September 16th and has been at anchor since. The Master notified the Port Hedland authorities on arrival that two crewmembers were not feeling well. The authorities arranged for the crew to be tested and two crewmembers initially tested positive for the virus. Subsequent RNA-PCR tests have shown that 17 crewmembers have now tested positive. Fortunately, all crewmembers on board as well as in shore-quarantine are feeling well with only a few seamen showing very slight infection symptoms. The authorities have arranged for a cleaning gang to go aboard the vessel and do a thourough cleaning of all surfaces.