Steam Packet seafarers say they are being let down by the Manx government over isolation rules.

A senior officer with the Steam Packet has written to the Chief Minister saying it is ’ridiculous’ to suggest that seagoing staff should have to stay in constant isolation.

Officers from government and the ferry company were due to meet yesterday afternoon (Monday) to discuss the way forward.

A row broke out over the Steam Packet’s adherence to Covid guidelines after two crew members, one island-based and one UK-based, tested positive for the virus.

This is being linked to a cluster of cases in the island, with contact tracing still under way.

Ironically, the positive cases emerged just days after the issue of Covid security on the Steam Packet was raised in the House of Keys.

At a Covid briefing on Thursday, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said it had been ’clear from day one’ that when crews do a shift they are not allowed to ’go out and about’ and must isolate at home with their family.

Public health director Dr Henrietta Ewart said the direction notes and protocols all supported that but it was subject to ongoing investigation.

When it was put to her that it had never been the case that Steam Packet crews have had to isolate when they come off duty, she replied that this was not in line with the policy document. ’We need to look into why they are saying what they are saying,’ she said.

Chief officer Chris Bowen has written to Chief Minister Howard Quayle pointing out that the Ben-my-Chree provides a lifeline service and its crews have been at the forefront of the pandemic.

He wrote: ’It is ridiculous to suggest that we should have to stay in constant isolation.

’We work a rota of a week on, week off, and during our week on we are on 12 hour shifts of days or nights.

’This could indeed mean that we are in constant isolation until the pandemic is over, and that could go on for some time yet.’

He added: ’We feel we are being let down by the Isle Of Man government and believe we are being treated very unfairly for carrying out our duty to keep the islands life line going.

’This could indeed be construed as an infringement of our human rights by denying us our liberty as tax paying Isle of Man residents.

’I urge you to resolve this issue as soon as possible to avoid any unnecessary suffering to hard working conscientious members of the Isle of Man community.’

rules

Under Covid rules, Manx crews cannot disembark at Liverpool and UK crews similarly cannot leave the Ben at Douglas.

But the government insists that Manx crews should be following modified self-isolation rules that mean that when they are working shifts they can only travel directly between the vessel and their home.

The Chief Minister told the Covid briefing on Friday: ’It’s clear that there has been a difference of opinion surrounding the expectations of what is required.’

He said the government’s position is clear that crew wear PPE during their shift and must isolate outside of work and so cannot go to pubs or restaurants, for example.

They must wear face coverings when travelling between work and their place of isolation.

These conditions apply only to the crew and not to other members of their households - so children can continue to go to school for example.

’There are investigations underway and these need to be completed,’ said Mr Quayle.

He pointed out the Steam Packet had operated services safely over the last year and he was confident a solution can be found.

The day before Mr Quayle announced a *-turn on vaccinations which will now be offered to ferry and airline crews.

The Steam Packet says it is following agreed protocols for its crew and has clear policies in place to prevent the spread of Covid on both its vessels and ports.

It said the Ben-my-Chree undergoes regular deep cleans and is being cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis.

The company is also pleased that vaccinations are to be offered to crew, as requested, ahead of the initial roll-out schedule.