Dutch shipowner Vroon says one of its offshore vessels had become the first ship in the world to be assigned a new "biosafe" notation from Italian classification society Rina.
The 6,600-bhp anchor-handling tug supply unit VOS Champagne (built 2015), managed by Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) in Genoa, has met standards involving many different systems, components and operative procedures to control and prevent possible outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Covid-19.
VOS Genoa will now classify all its vessels to this standard in order to reduce the risk to crew, charter personnel and visitors.
New and specific procedures have been implemented on board and are now part of the vessel safety management system, Vroon said.
These include specific risk assessments, health monitoring and treatments, as well as detailed procedures for contacting shore authorities and hospitals.
New health officer trained
A ship health officer has been appointed and crew training carried out.
Rina will perform "stringent" annual audits on the vessel to make sure the notation remains valid.
There is a dedicated treatment room on the AHTS, and routes for social distancing, as well as independent heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fresh water and sewage systems.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rina has strengthened its commitment towards biosafe shipping.
Rina said the voluntary notation can be applied to existing and newbuilding vessels.
"Ship’s design solutions are very important to prevent and control an infection onboard, such as access and routes for people and goods, public space as well as working spaces," the class society said.
