NEW South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has indicated he wants Ruby Princess to depart Australia this Sunday, prompting concerns about the fate of the crew.
Ruby Princess is currently at Port Kembla, having been at the centre of a media firestorm since it was revealed that a number of people were allowed to disembark in Sydney, inadvertently spreading coronavirus into the community and leading to fatalities.
In a press conference this week, Commissioner Fuller talked of “a hopeful departure date of this Sunday and we will be working towards that”.
WIN News has reported that of the 1000 crew, 140 have coronavirus, leading to fears for their wellbeing if they are on the open seas and away from specialist medical care.
International Transport Workers Federation spokesman Dean Summers told media that lives could be “at risk”.
“They can’t get medical evacuation that far at sea,” Mr Summers said.
DCN has been contacted by those in the maritime community calling for NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to intervene and allow the ship to stay until all the crew is free of coronavirus.
The death toll associated with the ship has since been reported at 19 people.
