A Taranaki shipping agent is fuming that an injured seafarer has been unable to get medical treatment in New Plymouth over Covid-19 fears and instead arrangements are being made to fly him back to India.
Port Taranaki. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council
The man fell while working on the Panama-flagged tanker Esteem Energy travelling between Lyttelton and Port Taranaki, injuring his back.
Phoenix Shipping represents the tanker in New Plymouth.
Phoenix Shipping managing director Billy Preston said it appeared the man had a nasty fall.
"The captain's advised us one of the crew has slipped over and hurt his back and he requires an x-ray. He's sent us a photo of the man's back and there's quite a big scar on there, so it's evident that he actually has had an accident."
Preston said under current Covid-19 protocols the man would normally have had a phone consultation with a GP or private health provider - in this case Medicross Urgent Care and GP Clinic in New Plymouth - and it would then be decided whether he would need to see a doctor.
"If it's agreed the guy needs to come ashore then we apply to the Taranaki District Health Board for approval. There's various documents such as a transport plan that we've got to put together and we just need to make sure all the PPE and Covid protocols are followed, and that's normally the process."
Preston said he had used Medicross for similar cases for more than a year, but this time the clinic refused to be involved.
He believed it was because of Covid-19 fears, despite the Esteem Energy crew all returning negative tests before leaving Australia.
Medicross did not answer RNZ's questions, but practice manager Jamie Litt said: "We followed our approved protocols that are in place for dealing with patients in this situation."
Taranaki DHB chief operating officer Gillian Campbell said it was aware of the injured mariner.
"We have been working with the shipping agent to assess his condition and whether hospital treatment is required, however, no medical assessment will be undertaken in Taranaki as the mariner is to be transported to an MIQ facility in Auckland."
Campbell said the man was now being considered part of a crew change, had an approved travel plan to transfer to Auckland and would then be returning overseas.
"The urgency of the [medical] assessment was determined by the vessel's captain, not Taranaki DHB."
Preston said the DHB's offer of help, which included providing a phone consultation and treatment if necessary, came too late.
"The captain and his vessel owners have got frustrated with the process, even though they've given everyone plenty of notice, so they've decided that the gentleman needs to be sent home back to India."
Preston said the man's condition had not changed, but the skipper wanted to move on and focus on getting him home.
He was disappointed that there was an approved process, but that it had not been followed.
"I think the DHB understand what they are doing and what's required, but unfortunately it's not filtering down to other health service providers."
Maritime Union national secretary Craig Harrison had an issue with how the case had played out.
"If there's an injured seafarer on an international ship who's had a trauma injury or an injury that needs treatment or proper assessment or x-rays, then that seafarer has a right under international law but also a basic humanitarian right to access treatment.
"DHB's are set up to do that this and that worker should be afforded that opportunity."
Harrison said he would not like to travel with an injured back.
"Depending on the injury, you wouldn't want to drive from New Plymouth to Auckland. It's a far old hike. Pressure should be put back on the captain to stop the ship and make sure that the seafarer has access to proper medical attention and I think it's available."
A Maritime NZ spokesperson where a seafarer was in need of medical attention, there was an obligation to provide that care promptly.
"Normally, once the injured person is assessed, a determination would be made as to whether the crew member can remain with the ship."
The spokesperson said Maritime NZ were aware that other agencies including MBIE were managing the situation.
The Ministry Of Health said it was unaware of the mariner's situation but said anyone entering an MIQ facility would get any medical treatment they required.
The Esteem Energy is due to arrive in Port Taranaki on Saturday.