PORT HEALTH REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (SHIPS) REGULATIONS 1979
This notice has been issued on behalf of the London Port Health Authority to remind relevant parties about the following statutory requirements.
Notification of illness aboard vessels approaching the Port of London from a foreign port
The need to have a valid Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate or Ship Sanitation Control Certificate aboard all foreign going merchant vessels, and the service available from London Port Health Authority to provide such certificates.
Statutory requirement to report infectious diseases
Ships’ Masters are reminded that they are required to report any cases, or suspected cases, of infectious disease on board their vessel (or death onboard a vessel other than by accident) to the London Port Health Authority (LPHA) at least four hours - and not more than 12 hours - before arriving in the Port of London.
This can be done in the first instance via telephoning one of the London Port Health Authority Offices during office working hours or via the Out of Hours Duty Officer at any other time (see contact details below). A follow up notification can then be sent via VHF radio, e-mail or by fax if necessary. The LPHA operates a 24-hour standby service to ensure that Port Health Officers and boarding medical Doctors are always available upon the ship’s arrival.
Full details of the directions and requirements can be found in the annex to this notice.
Ship Sanitation Certificates
Foreign going merchant vessels are required under the International Health Regulations 2005 to be inspected at six monthly intervals and issued with either a Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate or a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate, which records the inspection of the vessel and either the exemption from controls or control measures applied.
London Port Health Authority provides a service to inspect vessels and issues such certificates at all the ports and wharves on the River Thames and Lower Medway.
As much notice as possible should be given when requesting a new certificate and providing this is done with at least 24 hour before the inspection is required, this service is normally guaranteed. Current charges are shown in the annex to this notice.
Contact Details
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Tilbury Office
London Port Health Authority
Main Entrance Approach Road
Tilbury Dock
Tilbury
Essex
RM18 7JN
Tel: +44 (0) 1375 842663
Fax:+44 (0) 1375 856901
Email: porthealth.tilbury@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Thamesport Office
London Port Health Authority
Maritime House
Grain Road
Isle of Grain
Kent ME3 OHA
Tel: +44 (0) 1634 271740/272487
Fax:+44 (0) 1634 271738
Email: porthealth.thamesport@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Denton Office
London Port Health Authority
River Division (Lower)
The Quarantine Station
Mark Lane
Denton
Nr. Gravesend
Kent DA12 2QE
Tel: +44 (0)1474 363033
Fax:+44 (0)1474 353354
Email: porthealth.denton@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Charlton Office
London Port Health Authority
River Division (Upper)
Riverside
Charlton
London SE7 7SU
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8858 2751
Fax:+44 (0) 20 8293 3439
Email: porthealth.charlton@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Head Office
London Port Health Authority
Department of Environmental Services
City of London
PO Box 270
Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7332 1269
Fax:+44 (0) 20 7332 3536
Email: porthealth@cityoflondon.gov.uk
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Out of Hours Contact Number
London Port Health Authority
Tel: +44 (0) 7050 389861
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Further Information
Further information regarding these requirements and other information about the services provided by the LPHA may be found on the City of London website (www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/porthealth ) at Infectious Diseases
London Port Health Authority
PUBLIC HEALTH (SHIPS) REGULATIONS 1979
DIRECTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
These directions and requirements are made by the London Port Health Authority in pursuance of the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1979 and compliance therewith is required by virtue of Regulation 35 of the said Regulations.
THE MASTER OF ANY SHIP APPROACHING THE PORT OF LONDON FROM A FOREIGN PORT
I Should ascertain the state of health of all persons aboard
II Must report:
(1) the occurrence on board during the 28 days before arrival of:-
a) death, other than by accident, or
b) illness where the PERSON who is ill has or had a temperature of 38oc or greater which was accompanied by a rash, glandular swelling or jaundice, in the case where such temperature persisted for more than 48 hours, or
c) illness where the PERSON has or had diarrhoea severe enough to interfere with work or normal activities.
(2) the presence on board of:-
a) a PERSON suffering from an infectious disease or who has symptoms which may indicate the presence of infectious disease.
b) Any ANIMAL or CAPTIVE BIRD of any species including RODENTS and POULTRY or mortality or illness among such animals or birds.
(3) any other circumstances which are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease.
III If there is NOTHING TO REPORT under II above there is no need for the Master to obtain health clearance unless s/he is otherwise directed.
IV If there is SOMETHING TO REPORT under II above, other than the presence on board of animals or captive birds, the following procedure must be carried out in order to obtain free pratique:-
A) Contact London Port Health Authority on +44 (0)7050 389861 not less that four hours or not more than twelve hours before the expected time of arrival of the ship, stating:-
1) Name of ship
2) place of berth
3) Ports of call during the last 4 weeks
4) Provisional diagnosis of patient(s) or symptoms of patient(s)
5) Number of patients
6) Name, age, sex and nationality of patient(s)
7) Date of onset or illness
8) Expected time of arrival at Gravesend Reach. (If the ship is berthing or anchoring below Gravesend Reach or,
in the River Medway or Swale, give the expected time of arrival and the name of the berth or anchorage).
B) If intending to berth in the River Thames show the following signals from No. 1 Sea Reach Buoy (or No. 1 Mucking Buoy if berthing up-river of that buoy). If intending to berth in the River Medway or Swale show the same signals from the Medway Buoy: -
a) “QQ” flag hoist by daylight; and
b) a red light over a white light 2 metres apart during darkness
C) Complete the Maritime Declaration of Health and a list of passengers and crew, giving the address(es) of immediate destination in the United Kingdom, ready to hand to the Authorised Officer.
V If there is/are on board any ANIMAL(S) or CAPTIVE BIRD(S) of any species including RODENTS and POULTRY or Mortality or illness among such animals or birds, the Port Health Authority MUST be notified not less that 4 hours or not more than 12 hours before arrival, of the presence of such an animal(s) or birds and any mortality or illness. Such animal(s) or bird(s) shall be kept securely confined whilst the vessel is in port.
VI If there are any doubts or difficulties over Port Health Regulations, advice may be obtained directly from the Port Health Authority, through the relevant Port Control.
NOTE: In accordance with Regulation 17(1) of the Public Health Ships Regulations 1979 where the Authorised Officer so directs or where the master is required to make a report in accordance with the above, no person other than the Pilot, Customs Officer or an Immigration Officer shall, without the permission of the Authorised Officer, board or leave a ship until free pratique has been granted, and the Master shall take all reasonable steps to secure compliance with this provision.
SHIP INSPECTION CHARGES- as of 1st January 2009
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Gross Tonnage
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Charge (£)
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Up to 3,000
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100
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3,001-10,000
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150
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10,001-20,000
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200
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20,001-30,000
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230
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Over 30,000
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300
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With the exception of:
Vessels with the capacity to carry between 50 and 1000 persons- £300
Vessels with the capacity to carry more than 1000 persons- £500
Extra charges may be added for exceptional costs such as launch hire, lengthy journeys to the port or laboratories, out of hours visits and samples taken.
