Mvas-Islander Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On May 31, the cruise vessel Costa Atlantica departed from Nagasaki after undergoing a month-long quarantine period due to a Covid-19 outbreak. The ship, which had confirmed 148 Covid-19 cases among its crew, was en route to Manila. In April, authorities reported an additional 57 cases onboard, raising concerns about the health and safety of the 623 crew members present. Notably, the Costa Atlantica was not carrying any passengers during this period, focusing solely on the well-being of its crew.

The Costa Atlantica is anticipated to set sail from Japan by the end of May, according to an announcement from the Nagasaki prefectural government on May 14. Costa Cruises is currently collaborating with relevant stakeholders to finalize the departure timeline and additional logistics. The vessel, which has been docked for repairs at a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. facility in Nagasaki, reported a significant health challenge with 149 out of 623 crew members testing positive for COVID-19, following the initial case identified on April 20. To date, 287 crew members have returned to their home countries, including groups from Indonesia, the Philippines, and others who have tested negative for the virus. Notably, one of the latest returning crew members has been declared COVID-19 free after recovery, marking the first instance of a recovered patient from the ship successfully leaving Japan. In an effort to facilitate the safe disembarkation of more crew members, Nagasaki University has been conducting retesting at the request of the ship's operator, aiming to ensure that those testing negative for the virus can return home.

The repatriation of healthy crew members from the 'Costa Atlantica' has officially begun as of May 4. This cruise ship has been docked in Nagasaki since January, undergoing essential maintenance. Testing for all crew members aboard, which totals over 630, has been successfully completed, revealing that 149 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 by May 4. To mitigate the risk of transmission, all crew members have been residing in single-occupancy cabins and adhering to strict self-quarantine protocols. On May 4, the Carnival Corporation & plc subsidiary facilitated the return of 44 Indonesian crew members to their home country. The following day, efforts were made to repatriate an additional 125 Filipino crew members, alongside four British, six Malaysian, one Korean, and one American crew member. The company is actively coordinating transportation arrangements for those who have undergone a 14-day observation period on board, aiming to ensure their safe return via flight as promptly as possible. Reports indicate that at least one crew member experienced a serious illness and was medically evacuated from the vessel. The ongoing circumstances emphasize the challenges faced by maritime operations amid the pandemic, while highlighting efforts to prioritize the health and safety of crew members.