Tanker crew denied Argentina access after swine flu outbreak

David Osler - Thursday 25 June 2009

PRODUCT tanker has been placed under quarantine in an Argentinian port after a suspected outbreak of swine flu on board, marking the first time a vessel other than a cruiseship has been subject to such sanctions throughout the influenza pandemic. 

According to a report from Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit, 27 seafarers on board 1997-built, 44,582 dwt Livramento were denied permission to disembark in San Lorenzo on Saturday. 

However, operator Transpetro said that the Brazilian-flag ship was allowed to load a cargo of diesel for northern Brazil this morning. Livramento had previously called at Montevideo in Uruguay. 

One of the crew remains in hospital in Rosario, where his condition is said to be improving. None of the others are showing signs of infection. 

Recent weeks have seen Venezuela, Australia, Antigua and St Lucia in the Caribbean and the French-held island of New Caledonia all deny disembarkation to passengers on cruiseships on which swine flu has broken out, even though the move apparently contravenes the relevant regulations.

Steve Gordon
http://www.offshoreinjuries.com