Vessel at sea as crew waits for Covid-19 results

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK



A fishing vessel of Cadilu Fishing is at sea while its crew waits for tests done on two of its members to determine whether they have been infected by the coronavirus.

The vessel, the Campa del Infanzon, has been at sea for 20 days.

The vessel has not been allowed entry into the Port of Walvis Bay by port health authorities pending the outcome of the results. There are 73 crew members on board.

A crew member told Namibian Sun that they have been unable to enter the harbour after two of his colleagues reported flu-like symptoms and had to be removed from the vessel.

The vessel had not left Namibia's territorial waters, the crew member indicated.

“The vessel came from the fishing grounds where we were for 20 days. Two members were tested and they are waiting for the results,” the crew member said.

Namport executive Tino Hanabeb confirmed that the vessel had not been allowed entry. He added that the decision was not made by the port authority but by the health ministry's port officials.

“The two gentlemen already disembarked under the supervision of port health officials via ambulance to hospital,” he said. No comment could be obtained from Cadilu since Tuesday.