The West Live: Town of Port Hedland commissioner Fred Riebeling calls for strict crew change protocols

Town of Port Hedland commissioner Fred Riebeling has called on the State Government and the private sector to work hand-in-hand to establish strict crew change protocols to avoid another virus-infected ship crisis in the area. The Pilbara town is on edge after a crew member on the BHP cargo ship Vega Dream tested positive to COVID-19, just a day after the virus-riddled bulk carrier Patricia Oldendorff was cleared of infection. While commissioner Riebeling said he had “complete faith” that Port Hedland’s health systems could handle another ship, he looked to mitigate the issue entirely. “They have a track record now of responding very well to the infection,” he told The West Live. Commissioner Riebling said “more intense “quarantine protocols such as those used in the Asian-port city of Singapore could be used. “This is an infection that has emanated I think probably from Manilla. The seamen definitely got on board in Manilla,” he told The West Live podcast host Jenna Clarke. “I think the State and the industry needs to really address that… and put in place a crew change protocol that doesn't end up with coronavirus people lodging in Port Hedland. “My understanding is that in Singapore for instance there's a similar system, which has much more intense quarantine involved and that has been working. “Of course, I think the best result would be that Australian crewmen crew these ships, but that probably isn't possible — but it's something that has to be looked at. “The thing that isn't working as it should is these ships coming from various places that have inadequate protection for the people of Port Hedland.” Australian Medical Association WA president Andrew Miller said medical professionals in the State's north should be afforded the same levels of protection as a WA FIFO mining worker would be. Dr Miller outlined his concerns for regional medical staff based in the Pilbara region, while on The West Live this morning. “I think the private corporations — I have a lot more faith in because they've got a much better attitude towards worker safety,” he said. “I think that the miners are well ahead of the Government. They're testing their workers quite regularly and they're providing them with top level PPE. “I'll tell you there would be no miner going near anyone who is COVID positive without a properly fit tested N-95 respirator on. "While I can see them dealing with say one to five cases fairly easily it's when it gets up to 10 and then 15 cases all in a hurry that the whole thing can break out way too quickly. “It's really when we have our back turned and an asymptomatic seafarer comes into that port, somebody gets on the ship when they're not supposed to - that's what we're really worried about. “Not just Port Hedland — in all the regional places. We don't think there's been enough delivery of what the Government wants to do which is to provide great processes and PPE and a good workforce. “They really do not have the worker safety that they need and that's why we have been pushing for an inquiry into Broome Hospital where we could see that they're just very vulnerable and not enough preparation there. “That's going ahead. Good on the Department of Health — they've responded but it was after a letter form out lawyers to say that we need the kind of PPE and the kind of protections that they take for granted in the mining industry.”