Queen Mary 2 departs Durban after six South Africans disembark

Luxury cruise liner the Queen Mary 2 left South African shores at 7am on Thursday morning.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) confirmed that the passenger vessel departed from the port of Durban after six South African crew members disembarked from the liner.

The vessel had docked in Durban on Tuesday.

“The ship had been positioned outside the port since Friday after requesting clearance to berth to receive bunkers and stores. Approval was granted on Tuesday by the department of transport and the port health unit of the department of health for the vessel to dock, refuel and allow the six crew members to come ashore,” said TNPA said on Thursday.

“The ship arrived in Durban with 1,215 crew and 264 passengers. She will now sail to Southampton in the United Kingdom with the remaining 1,209 crew and 264 passengers.” 

The six South African crew were among 27 individuals on board, including passengers and crew members, who were tested for Covid-19 due to flu-like symptoms or contact with symptomatic individuals on-board.

“The results of all 27 were negative. However, minister of health Dr Zweli Mkhize said the six will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure,” said TNPA.

The ship’s line, Cunard, announced earlier this month that it had ended three international voyages early in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Most passengers were flown home by Cunard earlier during the voyage before arrival in Durban.

TNPA has been working closely with the department of transport, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) and the department of health to manage requests from cruise liners after new regulations were promulgated by transport minister Fikile Mbalula on March 18.

“These regulations essentially prohibit cruise liner calls, any crew changes, any disembarkations apart from returning South African citizens or permanent residents, and any embarkations unless they are for departing foreign nationals. However, all parties have worked together to manage individual scenarios,” said TNPA.

Covid-19 tests related to cruise liners in SA to date have included:

• AIDAmira — docked in Cape Town on March 16 after a Covid-19 scare involving six AIDAmira passengers and two MV Corona bulk carrier crew, all of whom tested negative.
• Arcadia — docked in Durban on 26 March after results were negative for 13 symptomatic individuals on-board. The vessel docked to refuel and restock provisions, as well as allow six South African crew members to disembark and return home.
• MSC Orchestra — now working with the department of health to trace passengers after confirmation of positive test results for two individuals who cruised on February 28 and March 13.

Meanwhile, the port of Durban has a final call from the Holland America cruise ship Amsterdam scheduled for Sunday.

“Officials are in communication with the vessel agent and master to determine how this ship will be managed and any measures that need to be put in place,” said TNPA.

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