Coronavirus WA: COVID scare onboard Fremantle-bound BBC California cargo ship after seven crew fall ill

Seven crew members onboard a ship due to dock in Fremantle have reported COVID-like symptoms, sparking an emergency response from WA heath authorities.

Premier Mark McGowan has revealed the BBC California cargo ship — which was scheduled to dock in Kwinana today — has arrived in Australian waters after visiting COVID-hit Indonesia.

The ship, which has just 14 crew members overall, departed Egypt last month before docking in Indonesia. It berthed at three ports in the virus-stricken country before leaving Indonesia on July 11.

Mr McGowan warned that if the crew members test positive to COVID-19 it could lead to the virus “seeping” back into the community.

“We are assuming COVID-19 is onboard this ship so every precaution will be taken,” he said.

The ship will berth in Fremantle Harbour today or tomorrow and the crew will be medically assessed. They will stay onboard unless their health deteriorates.

“Our view is, with these crew members, they should stay onboard the ship… get medically assessed onboard the ship,” Mr McGowan said.

“If we can manage it that way, that's the safest way for all of us in Western Australia.

“If anyone is so unwell they have to come off, I suspect that they would have to go into a hospital.”

Mr McGowan said he had urged authorities to ensure everything is done to follow strict health protocols.

The ship cannot merely be sent back out to sea, Mr McGowan said, due to the high proportion of sick crew.

“The risk is of course that the remaining seven crew members might get unwell,” he said.

“You’ll imagine, they’re on the high seas or cruising along the coast of Western Australia, and the entire crew can't operate the ship, well then that is a maritime emergency.”