Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Fesco-Askold

In a recent development, the 'Fesco Askold' found itself delayed in Pago-Pago after three crew members tested positive for Covid-19. The vessel was initially sent out of the harbor for a brief period before safely being brought back into port. However, with the usual work undertaken by local stevedores now being managed by the ship's crew, the unloading process has encountered significant delays, potentially extending the vessel's stay to around a week. Health measures have been rigorously implemented to curb the risk of further virus transmission. The affected crew members were isolated in their cabins throughout the ship's time in port, with daily temperature checks conducted to monitor their health status. Concerns arose over the potential economic impact on the territory, especially as the ship was scheduled to discharge critical cargo and collect tuna exports from StarKist Samoa for the United States, an essential supply as the holiday season approaches. As cargo operations commenced, the crew of 'Fesco Askold' unloaded containers that were subsequently placed in a designated area at the dock for decontamination by the Island Safety and Sanitation company. Furthermore, the 11 staff members from the Department of Health and Port Administration, who had previously come into contact with the infected crew, are currently quarantined at the Tafuna center, with all reporting good health and no Covid-19 symptoms. The effective management of this incident reflects ongoing efforts to maintain safety and prevent the spread of Covid-19 in maritime operations.

The Fesco Askold, a vessel managed by the Russian Far Eastern Shipping Company (Fesco), has been implicated in a recent COVID-19 outbreak prompting swift action by authorities in Samoa and American Samoa. As countries prepared to assess potential exposure to the virus, both regions moved to isolate contacts and prevent any new infections from infiltrating their communities. The ship, which embarked from Oakland, California, on October 23, made its way to Papeete, Tahiti, arriving on November 3. Subsequently, it continued its journey, reaching Samoa on November 7 and American Samoa on November 8. Currently, the Fesco Askold is anchored in quarantine off Pago Pago while local health officials conduct thorough evaluations and strategize the safe offloading of cargo. Samoan authorities have stated that the vessel spent less than 24 hours in port and adhered to rigorous health protocols throughout its stay. Health officials utilized the quarantine buoy, located approximately one mile from Matautu wharf, to scrutinize the necessary health documentation, which included negative COVID-19 test results for all 17 crew members onboard. During this inspection, the entire crew, including the captain, was instructed to remain isolated in a designated area of the ship until clearance was granted to proceed to the wharf. Moreover, the crew was monitored by guards while container operations took place, ensuring strict restrictions were in place. However, just two days after departing Samoa on November 9, health officials received notification that at least three crew members had tested positive for COVID-19 during a health examination upon arrival in Pago Pago. In response, Samoa’s health authorities initiated precautionary measures to mitigate the risk of virus transmission. Seventeen individuals who had recently interacted with the Fesco Askold, including four personnel from the Ministry of Health and Samoa Port Authority and 13 stevedores, were placed under quarantine, while offloaded containers underwent sterilization procedures. Following the positive tests, the U.S. Coast Guard mandated that the Fesco Askold remain quarantined, temporarily closing the port for 24 hours to ensure decontamination of the dock. Fortunately, no instances of community spread have been reported in either Samoa or American Samoa related to the ship, although officials in Apia have faced criticism for their perceived delays in responding to the situation.

In a concerning development, three crew members of the container ship 'FESCO Asgold' tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival at Pago Pago on November 8, 2020. Despite the positive test results, none of the 17 crew members exhibited any symptoms of the virus. All crew members remained onboard and did not disembark until the vessel departed the port on November 9. During this period, a critical meeting was convened to discuss loading operations for the ship, which was transporting essential supplies for StarKist Samoa, in addition to containers filled with tuna products destined for the U.S. market. In response to the positive cases, 11 individuals were placed in quarantine at the Tafuna Quarantine Center. This group included seven Department of Health personnel who boarded the vessel, along with two laboratory staff and two ship pilots from the Port Administration. As a precautionary measure, the port was temporarily closed until November 10 at 7:30 a.m., allowing only essential stevedore workers access to the dock. The Port Administration operated with a minimal staff, while certain sections of the dock area underwent thorough disinfection procedures. Prior to arriving in Pago Pago, the 'FESCO Asgold' had completed its journey from Tahiti to Samoa, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic in maritime operations.