NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered an investigation into how the Ruby Princess came to land and disembark 2,650 passengers while tests being carried out on 13 other passengers with flu like symptoms.
The vessel has now become the largest source of Australian fatalities from COVID-19 after two more died yesterday. There are over 300 other cases from passengers who were allowed off the ship that day and who then travelled across the country.
What occurred on Thursday, March 19 at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal is now being investigated by Police Commission Mick Fuller.
The questions that need answers are:
- What exactly did the ship’s captain report to the shore about the medical condition of its passengers and crew
- Why were 2,650, some of whom may have been sick but not showing symptoms, allowed to leave so hastily and travel across Australia when others were still being tested for coronavirus.
- What were the protocols in place that day and were they followed “to the letter” by all parties
- What was the communication between the two departments running the exercise: Border Protection and NSW Health
Carnival Australia and Princess Cruises insist that the vessel carried out all of the NSW government protocols about landing “to the letter”. Carnival Australia boss Sture Myrmell strongly denied any problems with the ship in a video statement this week.
And indeed, initially NSW Health and the Federal Border Protection Force blamed each other for the the bungle, with state health minister Brad Hazzard accepting that it was the wrong decision “with hindsight”.
But in the past 48 hours, the mood has changed. Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton accused unspecified cruise lines of “lying” in a radio interview, and now Ms Berejiklian has also cast doubt on the versions of what happened.
“I appreciate how upset everybody is. Don’t you think I’m upset? I’ve lived this and breathed this every day of my life,’’ Ms Berejiklian told Sydney’s 2GB radio.
“There were several authorities involved and I’ll be the first one to look someone in the eye if they’ve done the wrong thing and make them accountable.
“The question remains, and I’ve asked the police commissioner to look into this, what information was provided to health and authorities and why did this occur?”
Yesterday, Australian Border Force officers ferried medical staff to the ship off Sydney Harbour to determine the health of crew members aboard. Carnival Australia is appealing to the State Government to allow the 1,100 men and women off the ship so they can fly home to their loved ones, but Police commissioner Mr Fuller has ordered the Ruby Princess and seven other vessels out of Australian waters.
Mr Fuller told The Australian he did not want more than 8000 crew members quarantined in Sydney because a percentage could develop COVID-19 symptoms and end up depleting the state’s healthcare resources.
The police chief signalled this week a major operation involving Aspen Medical, an Australian company involved in evacuating the Diamond Princess in Japan during a coronavirus epidemic, and doctors possibly being aided by the Australian Defence Force.
The extraction of any crew who fail a virus test is being planned for Monday. The Australian has suggested as many as 200 crew may have symptoms.
A letter sent by the ABF commissioner to the cruise ship operators last week stipulated that if its ships did not leave Australia, they could face fines of up to $63,000 and five years’ imprisonment. The operators have appealed and are awaiting a verdict.
I was a passenger on the ill-fated Ruby Princess arriving in Sydney on March 19. Our cruise was cut short by 2 day and we missed 3 ports after Australia ordered us to return home before they closed the ports. After this was announced to us all after we left Napier we received literature in our cabins regarding self isolation for 14 days after we arrived at our homes. We continued to receive literature every day from the Sunday up to and including the day we disembarked, a total of 6 days.
To be honest I feel a lot of the confusion was caused by passengers not being able to understand our captain who gave updates continually over the PA system. Unfortunately his English was very hard to understand. I have contacted Princess and suggested that in future perhaps they could organise for someone who can be understood to give out important information. On our cruise, the cruise director would have been a better person as he spoke very good English.
One evening after the show in the Princess theatre as we were leaving we were all asked to or to one side of the aisle as they had a medical emergency happening. I have no idea what it was except there was a person on the gurney being wheeled out. This was the only medical incident we heard of or saw on the ship at all.
I finished my isolation on Thursday night at midnight but when I had my phone appointment with my doctor yesterday morning she organised for me to have the swab tests immediately as I also have Parkinson’s disease so am high risk. I am now waiting for the results which i should have by Monday. I have had no symptoms at all.
Since arriving home I have received a questionnaire each day from the health department as well as a daily phone call and every second day I have had. Call from a health nurse check-in on my health. I cannot fault the care etc I have had since returning home.
Coming off another cruise ship on the following day (as a nurse) it was extremely interesting to note the lack of boarder security lack of infection control and those there were only interested in collecting the green forms.
No temperature taking like the cruise line undertook as we got on the cruise nothing just fill out the Green form. Then to airport I kept us as separate as possible from others then on the plane to home.
Only blame can rest with authorities for not taking this seriously enough. Not enough done on arrival to evaluate passengers. Blaming is not going to fix what has happened but by all means evaluate and for plans for future change and actions take a leaf out of Singapore.
Incompetency should be Rewarded with the Firing of the Incompetent.
Need Uniform Infectious Disease rules for cruise lines to follow, adopted & adopted by cruise lines with pvt public partnership, or similar.
IE Regs on also
Piracy
Terrorisim
Bomb plots?
& diseases.
What to do, what NOT to do, etc.
The Ruby Princess fiasco is due to the incompetence of the NSW Government, NSW Health Department along with Border Protection. There were procedures that NSW Health needed to do but didn’t do them. The Ruby Princess was delayed in Sydney when they were leaving for New Zealand by approximately 4 hours due to passengers being checked when boarding. This was done at NZ Ports as well. Arriving back in Sydney there were no checks. Why did NSW Health allow them to leave if they were doing some checks? Why did Customs (Border Protection) allow the passengers through? Why weren’t passengers checked at Sydney Airport? This is compete incompetence when there is a Pandemic in progress. The Ruby Princess wasn’t the first ship NSW Government/Health allowed to dock & disembark passengers without checking. This failure to check passengers caused the spread of the virus through NSW, Interstate and Overseas. The passengers coming into Adelaide Airport weren’t checked either and this has lead to Qantas Baggage Handlers being infected. This all stems from NSW Government/Health not doing the correct procedures of checking all passengers and allowing them to continue on their journey. If they had actually followed procedures because of “low risk” cases on board they could have prevented widespread infection and possibly deaths. The Premier and Health Minister should own up to the fact they made a monumental mistake if allowing passengers to pass Customs. Originally the Premier stated she didn’t care about the criticism levelled at her and her Government for allowing the passengers off Ruby Princess. Then she blamed Border Protection who in turn blamed NSW Health. The Government had a responsibility in preventing the virus from entering Sydney/NSW. Now the Premier is blaming Princess Line for allowing passengers off. It is NSW Health who had the medical expertise and authority to prevent disembarkation of passengers. They could have held the passengers in the Customs area and processed them all by NSW Health Professionals but they didn’t. This is shameful by NSW Government/Health. Spike in Virus cases cause by NSW Government not Princess Line.
The problem may have started with the illness on the previous cruise later spoken of and the pressure on most liners into Sydney of 12 hr turn rounds. When the good times return maybe we have to be willing to pay more to cover high port charges for an overnight stay and a less pressured communication, clean, crew and passenger health checks at turn around ports.
With insurance reimbursement dependent on Government Level 4 and the ship cancellation at 100% not surprising that people continued with their bookings to a “safe” area.
Maybe it would be cheaper to send an under cover couple on longer cruises to pick up the gossip (the laundry and the bar are good) much in the way that customs joined the line voyages in Fremantle.
All the countries are struggling with the new restrictions of COVID-19. This is not an isolated case where you can apply for medical treatment. This is massive! And the cruise ships new a long time ago, but most of the cruise ships that are now stranded, departed not caring about anything. You did not want to loose your profit, you did not want to cancel bookings. You just left. You did not care at that time if someone could get infested or die. You just left.
++++
Now you are asking for mercy. And you are selling already cruises for May 2020. How do you know that is going to be safe to sail in 4 weeks? How do you know that you are not going to cause more distress? You know that you are at the frontline and that we do not want to see profit before health. We do not want to see people crying after they disobey. You are only you, cruise ships are responsible for your mess. You and only you should stop selling cruises for this year. You and only you should pay for the sick persons in hospitals and the ones in quarantine. You and only you should be in prison if you disobey the government orders.
Cruise ships operators learn the lesson, you are sacrificing lives at the moment, you are sacrificing countries and governments. You need to change your policies to make this work.
I believe the ship is to blame and that they hid the facts. They just wanted to get every one off the ship as soon as possible.
In normal times from complaints I’ve read if you get sick on ship they send you off to get help in port and whilst you are getting help they pack your cabin up and take your bags off the ship. No problems for them then and they never refund you, they would save a bit on food. People then have to stay in Hotel as not sick enough for a hospital.
They are now trying to get rid of the crews so it doesn’t cost them money, let Aust pick up the problems and costs.
https://stg-cruisepassengercomau-cpstaging.kinsta.cloud/ruby-princess-exclusive-the-statements-that-question-the-need-for-a-police-probe/
A senior executive from Princess has gone on record regarding positive tests from Ruby Princess (in a video produced and released by Princess): stating in relation to the positive tests “this was as disappointing as it was unexpected”. After the issues experienced on board the Diamond Princess and Grand Princess the idea that a positive test from swabs taken on board to specifically test for Covid in port ( “testing for Covid is not done on board cruise ships”) was “unexpected” is simply not credible. Why even swab if they did not suspect Covid? Cruise ships do not take swabs for influenza. The on board medics would of course been concerned about Covid symptoms. Medical records, emails and messages need to be examined to understand who knew what and when and whether this matches with what was disclosed to authorities before this ship leaves Australian waters. This is not in any way relieving State and Federal authorities for their apparent abrogation of responsibility for allowing this unmitigated disaster to unfold.
Let the cruise ship ferry the passengers home to their loved ones.
Carnival Cruises have form when it comes to viruses, Many of the current problem cruise ships looking for port to berth are from Carnival. No doubt their captains are leaned to massage the truth when it comes to acknowledging the degree of sickness on board. To do otherwise might be a bad career move. Carnival knows its much better for their bottom line to offload their passengers rather than have to pay for accommodating/ feeding/ entertaining their passengers on board for weeks/ months on end.
However it seems that Border Force and NSW Health were naive and negligent in taking the captains word and not conducting their own checks.
It’s odd that passengers from air travel can come into the country, through an airport without health screening – and we know that some have brought COVID-19 with them and not be singled out – but cruise passengers are seen as evil incarnate. There would be an uproar if passengers in a plane were forced to wait on the tarmac 14 days before disembarking – and I’m sure that COVID-19 wouldn’t be the only health problem shared in that instance. All I can say is that it’s disgraceful that the ships crew (and passengers) aren’t afforded the decency they deserve.
And now the witch hunt begins. Instead of using all our valuable resources to deal with the real issues on land they have to waste time money and people power on trying to offload blame onto the ships. I have done 32 cruises and never once yet been sick and this is because the ships are run extremely well . I have had 22 on Princess. I was on the Ruby in February 2020 . I love princess and it saddens me as to how Australia is treating them. Australia is oh so ready to take from the ships in the good times, charging them like wounded bulls to dock in port . The ports have never done any sort of health screening when we get on or off. If they are so insightful about the health issues in hindsight then they should plan in peace time to have better management of border controls for ships and planes. So Australian government stop blaming cruise ships it does not serve any constructive purpose other than to deflect attention and blame from yourself. Small mindedness always want to find an escape . Carnival , the umbrella of Princess and many other cruise lines I wish you all the best in these tough times and I shall be onboard as soon as you sail again.
It is the same old , same old, that we were all to blame, B.S.
Most of the Australians coming home from a holiday at sea on the Ruby Princess had no idea of the NSW Government rules in advance of docking. Why?
There was no reason for the Ruby a princess to check for COVID19 as passengers did not meet the NSW Government criteria for testing. NSW Health consider their risk assessment appropriate. Why?
There was no boarding by NSW Health to explain to Australian Passengers the vital need to self isolate. Why?
And now the crew, many officers all of whom have families at home also at risk, as well are suffering what seems to be an imposition of inhuman laws by NSW police. Why?
It seems the burden of blame is being put on crew when the responsibility was our own Boarder Force and NSWHealth
David Hayworth, I totally and unreservedly agree, it is the most atrocious and unaustralian reaction of any Australian government in my life time. quiet embarrassing really. makes me feel ashamed.
Mh, I totally agree with you too. it just shows the n.s.w. governments incompetence and their need to always deflect blame away from themselves.
With the virus outbreak all cruise ship owners would be aware of international events and plan accordingly, but do they?. The problem was the passengers did not bring the virus on board, the lower decks crew members did. If they said thay felt unwell or sick then no job and no money a decision which is costing the world at the moment. The cruise companies source their crew from contractors in the asian region and it is these contractors who supply the crew members. No testing or deep health checks take place and the contractors sometimes look the other way when selecting crews for the cruise ships because they can hire cheap labour and maximise profits. Ultimateley the mighty dolllar speaks and the cruise ship operators are as much at fault as the next businessman after money. The cruise ship companies were aware of countries about to close their borders and continued to send out the ships. Princess were reported to be withdrawing their ships at the end of march for approximately sixty days. No plans for this withdrawal were given, The question then, is, why keep operating cruises when borders are about to close. By leaving the ships in and near Austalian waters they then are able to drip feed their sick remaining crew members on the Australian public because they are aware Australia is a compassionate country and will not turn away the sick. If the ships sail away after dropping off their sick crew members , then , if they are close to another country later and an noutbreak occurrs. That country may not be so willing to take them in. More costs for the cruise ship operators. The reporting of the illness to Local Authorities by the Captain may not have included enough information on the real conditions on board. Hense the speculation from Authorites not recieving full and correct reports. The cruise ship owners ultimately control their ships and of course the captains. I believe hind sight will be a wonderful educator in a few months time.
It seems to me that the Government is trying to pass the buck and not accepting responsibility.
I strongly suspect that Mr Nobody will be found guilty, as Murphys Law says that if more than one person is guilty, no one is. But seriously, the guilty will be running for cover. It wasnt me, it was dolly. It is quite like that the Captain, the Head of Porder Force and NSW Health are all partially to blame. Someone should be prosecuted over this, it really is an unforgiveable screw up and we want answers.
Feel sorry for Princess but our Government has first priority to the people of Australia. I for one have missed a holiday in April on Sea Princess but am not angry as my health and health of everyone comes first. Hopefully I can cruise again on Princess in 2021. Have cruised with Princess for a few years and they are a great cruise line. Great staff, entertainment and have always enjoyed our holiday on Dawn Princess, Sea Princess,Emerald Princess & Royal Princess.
i have cruised on various ships and have always found them impeccable . I cannot say the same for the passengers who travel on them .One English ship I was on took on passengers in Mumbai who had flown in from Deli and brought with them gastroenteritis . the captain immediately quarantined them for 6 days after one of them a guest speaker collapsed on stage. After the quarantine period the crew then burnt all the bedding and thoroughly disinfected the cabin The disease was under control and did not spread through the ship . I say when diseases like this happens it all depends on the captain of the ships and his actions
Don’t blame Ruby Princess, they don’t just let passengers disembark without having the clearance from the Australian boarder authorities first.
And don’t treat all the other ships in Australia with such coldness. Where else to you expect them to go. They have crew on board that are doing it tuff too, away from their families, and they need supplies.
Hang in there Princess, you have been doing great.
This problem is obviously the fault of someone in NSW Health or Border Force. Ultimately, I would think NSW Health would have the last say when landing passengers from a cruise in NSW, irrespective of the presence of Border Force. To have NSW Police investigate on behalf of the NSW Government smacks of ‘conflict of interest’. An independent body should be appointed to ensure transparency and fairness. There were a number of tests being undertaken of passengers and NSW Health should have ensured no landings until the results were known.
Finally the cavalier attitude of Princess is accountable.
We are disgusted with our State and Federal Governments attitude towards people on cruise ships. The lack of compassion and humanity shown by our governments towards these seafarers is un-Australian. It is also hypocritical n that we expect other countries to show compassion towards Australians abroad yet we will not do the same. After all, the people on these ships are not asking to stay in Australia simply to disembark and transit to their homeland. Is this not what Australia is also asking for with its citizens abroad!Government spends millions of dollars trying to attract visitors from overseas yet when they reach out for help now, government bites their hand and pushes them away. This is shameful. What message does that say to the rest of the world. Who can blame the cruise companies from shoving Australia aside later.
Some one in NSW health needs their head rolled over this,ALL I have seen heard points to a big big blunder by NSW HEALTH.
Are the Captains of these ships hanging around for all the crew to get sick then they can off load them. Why not send all crew home and take ship back to where it belongs. All the ships should be back where they come from. Give them medical supplies in case and send them on their way before they all get sick. I feel sorry for the crew not the arrogant Captain. Get some tugs and pull the ship away.
After 3 weeks, it’s pretty evident the government departments aren’t willing to accept any blame, and obviously no issue was found with what Princess actually did, as that’s more than enough time.
So in their hunt for a scapegoat, they’ve now decided they can use this as a filler to find someone else to blame. Do a more intense attack on Princess and deflect and deny themselves. They’ve already changed their own government policies which shows where the fault is.
At the end of this, they’ll just end in a standoff trying to blame others, and nothing further will change. The facts speak for themselves, and it’s just another sorry piece of evidence about the woeful lack of accountability by our government.