NSRI assist Port Health Authority in Queen Mary 2 Covid-19 tests

Jonathan Kellerman, NSRI Durban station commander, said:At 19h00, Friday, 27th March, NSRI Durban duty crew launched their sea rescue craft Alick Rennie, accompanied by a ShipMed doctor, to rendezvous with the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner at the outer anchorage off Umhlanga, Durban.The ShipMed doctor, under the authority of the Department of Health Port Health Unit and the Department of Transport, was tasked to carry out routine Covid-19 tests on board.On arrival at the Queen Mary 2 the doctor, wearing full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), was transferred onto the ship. Following the sample tests that were collected, he was transferred back onto the sea rescue craft and brought back into the Port of Durban without incident.All precautions with regards to PPE and protocols, as outlined by the Department of Health, were followed during the operation.The operation was completed at 23h00.NSRI remains on full alert to respond to sea rescue emergencies and providing assistance during the Covid-19 lockdown. TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE