Crew changes allowed for all seafarers

ALL seafarers are ALLOWED to carry out crew change activities (sign-on & sign-off) in any Malaysia port irrespective of their citizenships or ship’s flag.

If the COVID-19 test result is POSITIVE or the crew is showing explicit virus symptoms, either during sign-on or sign-off process, the crew and his/her shipping company must inform the Ministry of Health (MOH) through the nearest Port Health Office immediately within 24 hours upon the clearance.

The crew as categorised in paragraph 2 are subject to any further instructions from the MOH, and are NOT PERMITTED to:
a) return home;
b) move to the ship / port;
c) move to any exit point;
d) move from any entry point; or
e) transit any area in Malaysia.

Social distancing protocol as well as personal hygiene in accordance with MOH guidelines must always be complied with by the Shipping Company or Manning Agent throughout the crew change process in Malaysia.

The company must bear all the costs including any quarantine procedures, tests, follow-up treatment and other related logistics aspects that have to be carried out under the instruction of MOH on the ship’s crew.

SIGN-OFF
Sign-off application has to be made at least three (3) days before the ship berthing at any port in Malaysia.

All crew signing off in any Malaysia port are required to undergo COVID-19 health tests recognized by the MOH;

If the result of the COVID-19 test are found to be NEGATIVE, a MALAYSIA citizen crew MUST carry out self-surveillance using Home-Assessment Tools at their own residence for 14 days in accordance with MOH instructions and guidelines.

If the result of the COVID-19 test are found to be NEGATIVE for a FOREIGN crew, the shipping company MUST ensure the crew:
a) transfer from the disembarking port area to the exit point expeditiously; and
b) the transfer towards the country exit point shall be made promptly, without any delay, and without transiting in any other area.

SIGN-ON
Sign-on application has to be made at least three (3) days before the ship berthing at any port in Malaysia.

All sign on crew in any Malaysia port are required to undergo COVID-19 health tests recognized by the MOH.

Prior to submitting the sign-on application to Marine Department Malaysia (MARDEP), The Shipping Company / Manning Agent MUST ensure that the crew:
a) has no explicit symptoms of COVID-19 and medically fit;
b) complete the MARDEP Health Declaration Form;
c) obtain the COVID-19 negative test result from labs recognized by the MOH;
d) make a formal declaration as free from COVID-19 (foreign crew only).

If the result of the COVID-19 test are found to be NEGATIVE for a FOREIGN crew, the shipping company MUST ensure the crew:
a) to be transported from first point of entry (FPOE) to the designated embarking port area shall be made promptly, without delay and transiting in any other area.

Master SHALL perform a daily COVID-19 symptoms monitoring and temperature-checking to all newly-joined crew for at least 14 consecutive days after joining. Master is also encouraged to continuously monitor and keep the health record of all crew members.

Regardless of the type of ships, strict social distancing protocol according to the MOH guidelines SHALL be practised by ALL crew at least for 14 consecutive days after joining. These shall include, but not limited to, providing the newly-joined crew an individual and separate accommodation.

TRAVEL PERMIT
For the purpose of supporting the departure of a foreign off-signer movement, proof of his/her travel document (such as a flight or ferry itinerary/ticket copy) must be provided to MARDEP, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) and/or MOH whenever it is needed.

For the purpose of supporting a foreign on-signer movement, proof of his/her employment letter or any other supporting documents must be provided to MARDEP, JIM and/or MOH whenever it is needed.

SEAFARER DOCUMENTATION
Seafarer Employment Agreement (SEA) which expires during the period of MCO may apply for an extension of one (1) month, as long as the total period of the SEA including the extension is not more than 13 months.

Seafarer documentations extension are given as follows: -
a) Seafarer Identification Card (SID): Existing SID of an onboard seafarer which was previously automatically extended for a period of 3 months, will be discontinued/ ended on 31 July 2020.
b) Medical Examination Certificate (MEC): Existing MEC of an onboard seafarer which was previously automatically extended for a period of 3 months, will be discontinued/ ended on 31 July 2020.
c) Certificate of Competency (COC): The expiry date of an existing COC of a Malaysian seafarer is automatically extended to 31 July 2020 or 3 months from the original expiry date, whichever is earlier.
d) Certificate of Recognition (COR): The expiry date of an existing COR of a foreign seafarer may be extended for 3 months, or until 31 July 2020, or in accordance to the issuance country of the original COE. Affected foreign seafarer shall apply via the COR renewal process.
e) Certificate of Proficiency (COP): The expiry date of an existing COP for a Malaysian seafarer is automatically extended for 6 months, or until 31 October 2020, whichever is earlier.
f) Malaysia Crew Article: The Crew Article agreement which expires during MCO period may be extended for 3 months, irrespective whether it involves a COC / COR extension for the crew.
g) Oral Examination: The final validity date of the Malaysian seafarer oral examination that falls during the MCO period, is automatically extended for 6 months or until 31 October 2020, whichever is earlier…

…Final clearance of the crew change is subjected to the approval and instruction by MOH.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Malaysia, contact GAC Malaysia at [email protected])

Source: Annex to Malaysian Shipping Notice MSN 13/2020 dated 26 June 2020