Managing the supply of medical oxygen for ships
All sick seafarers should be assessed on board and appropriately managed by the officer in charge of medical care, with assistance from Telemedical Assistance Services. If shore-side medical care is required, the seafarer should be medically disembarked into a shore-side facility as soon as possible, using whatever means are available. Port States have a duty to provide such care, as outlined in the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 20061, STCW, and other international treaties. The need for medical oxygen on board a ship to treat a sick seafarer until disembarkation is well recognized and outlined in a flag State's medicine chest requirements. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought to light the issue of how much medical oxygen should be carried on board, as well as the difficulties in purchasing and supplying oxygen cylinders. If an outbreak of COVID 19 occurs onboard, it is noted that 50 percent of the crew is frequently affected, and up to 20 percent of them may require oxygen ...