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Holland American Lines' Westerdam denied port entry in Thailand due to Coronavirus fears
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/thailand-yields-to-virus-fears-bars-docking-of-cruise-ship/2020/02/11/5285b592-4cc0-11ea-967b-e074d302c7d4_story.html
Thailand yields to virus fears, bars docking of cruise ship
By Associated Press
Feb. 11, 2020 at 6:19 a.m. EST
BANGKOK — Thai health authorities have barred a cruise ship from docking that has already been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan out of concern over a new virus, although no cases have been confirmed on board.
The chief of the Department of Disease Control, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, said Tuesday that the Public Health Ministry had rejected a request from the crew of the MS Westerdam to dock at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand.
He said the ministry will further consider how to deal with the ship’s situation. It began its cruise on Jan. 16 in Singapore. Shipowner Holland America Line says there are no known cases of the virus on board.
The virus has caused problems for the cruise industry. Japan’s health ministry has confirmed 135 cases of the disease aboard Carnival Corp.’s Diamond Princess, which is docked in Yokohama, Japan. The ship’s 3,700 passengers and crew are expected to remain under quarantine until at least Feb. 19.
</snip>
Thailand yields to virus fears, bars docking of cruise ship
By Associated Press
Feb. 11, 2020 at 6:19 a.m. EST
BANGKOK — Thai health authorities have barred a cruise ship from docking that has already been turned away by the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan out of concern over a new virus, although no cases have been confirmed on board.
The chief of the Department of Disease Control, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, said Tuesday that the Public Health Ministry had rejected a request from the crew of the MS Westerdam to dock at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand.
He said the ministry will further consider how to deal with the ship’s situation. It began its cruise on Jan. 16 in Singapore. Shipowner Holland America Line says there are no known cases of the virus on board.
The virus has caused problems for the cruise industry. Japan’s health ministry has confirmed 135 cases of the disease aboard Carnival Corp.’s Diamond Princess, which is docked in Yokohama, Japan. The ship’s 3,700 passengers and crew are expected to remain under quarantine until at least Feb. 19.
</snip>
12 hours ago, they were cleared to disembark. Now, they're stuck on the ship for another week.
**Of note** The ship's AIS hasn't reported a position on Marine Traffic since 2/7 - very unusual:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:224930/
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_identification_system
Generally, they're always on, even when in port. They're not real time, often off by and hr or two (I think to deter terrorism). But, it's unusual for it to be turned off for days.
Of course, it's possible it's on, and the Marine Traffic website is no longer reporting its position.
Generally, they're always on, even when in port. They're not real time, often off by and hr or two (I think to deter terrorism). But, it's unusual for it to be turned off for days.
Of course, it's possible it's on, and the Marine Traffic website is no longer reporting its position.
