AS THE latest in a long line of luxury passenger ships cruised into Western Port today, Tuesday, January 24, the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit (GRPHU) has issued a statement about managing “potential public Health risks.
This morning just after 8am, the 10,000 tonne Windstar Cruises ‘Star Breeze’ ship, a relative minnow in world terms at 312 passengers and 164 crew, blew its horn as it passed the Cowes Jetty headed for anchor just off Rhyll.
There’s been no suggestion that there’s any issue with passengers embarking off this particular ship, but clearly something has sounded the warning bell.
GRPHU is working with Bass Coast Health (BCH) and Ambulance Victoria Gippsland (AV Gippsland) to identify any public health risks from the ships with 13 scheduled to arrive at Cowes from December 1, 2022 to March 23, 2023.
GRPHU Operations Director, Annelies Titulaer, said this unique partnership would ensure a local response was in place in the event of a public health risk.
“We understand there may be some concern within the community about the potential COVID-19 health risk surrounding cruise ships,” she explained.
“There are rules and protocols in place for the industry and passengers to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19,” Ms Titulaer said.
“Our local partnership ensures these protocols extend further; from ship to shore.”
To prepare ahead of each cruise ship’s arrival, GRPHU, BCH and AV Gippsland meet to understand the assessed health risk on board from the cruise vessel operator.
Then, other community stakeholders, including health service agencies, Victoria Department of Health and Regional Ports are included in the planning and management if required.
“Cruise ships provide passengers with the opportunity to disembark and spend the day on Phillip Island, with most arriving and departing on the same day,” Ms Titular said.
“This can provide a much needed boost to the local economy and we want to reassure residents this partnership between the GRPHU, BCH, AV Gippsland and cruise vessel operators is effectively ensuring risks are identified, reported and managed effectively with as little impact to community as possible.”
Bass Coast Health Chief Executive Officer, Jan Child, welcomed the initiative.
“Any passengers requiring off-shore assessment and treatment for COVID-19 or other conditions will be assessed by the on-board medical team and then taken to the most appropriate health care provider,” she said.
AV Gippsland Emergency Management Planning Coordinator, Danny Anderson, said AV would respond to any identified case of COVID-19 as a matter of normal business.
“All the necessary precautions would be taken to always protect patients and staff, while maintaining best care,” he said.
“COVID-19 remains present in our community,” Ms Titulaer said.
“We can all choose actions to support prevention of transmission like keep up to date with vaccinations and boosters, wearing face masks, physical distancing, ventilating when indoors, hand hygiene and taking medications if eligible.”
Star Breeze (formerly Seabourn Spirit) is a German-built cruise ship completed in 1989. The luxury liner usually travels between Europe and Africa, and is owned by Windstar Cruises.
In early 2005 she was rated the best small cruise ship by Condé Nast.
In April 2015, she departed the Seabourn fleet, and on May 6, 2015, she was rechristened and entered service with Windstar Cruises as Star Breeze.
The Star Breeze arrived in Western Port shortly after 8am on Tuesday, January 24, after arriving here from P:romise Bay on the East Coast of Tasmania. She is due to depart for Melbourne on Tuesday night at 2300 hours (11pm) after passengers have had time to witness the world-famous Phillip Island Penguin Parade.