Damen Shiprepair Harbour & Voyage (DSHV) will now offer a 24/7 Covid-19 disinfection service for ships. Personnel donned in high quality PPE will board the ship to disinfect it using stabilised hydrogen peroxide.
With the service, Damen hopes to service specifically meets current needs now that the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that when there is a case of Covid-19 on board a vessel, the cabin and living quarters as well as the rest of the ship, are disinfected.
‘As with a lot of viruses, the coronavirus can be spread more easily on board a ship,’ says DSHV’s MD, Jozeph W.D. Quak. ‘People are in close proximity to each other on a vessel and self-isolation can be more difficult in such a limited space. The disease can be spread not only with coughing and sneezing, but also touching areas that have been infected. Therefore, hygiene and disinfection are essential.’
Hydrogen peroxide
DSHV is the mobile ship repair squad of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. Its disinfection service is based on WHO approved methods using stabilised hydrogen peroxide. The solution is colourless and odourless and causes no damages on interior or surfaces. All areas aboard the vessel are said to be disinfected with approved methods and with risk assessments prior to the operation. The service has already been performed for the cruise sector, but can be provided to any type of vessel.
In order to provide this service, and other project work at this time, DSHV has implemented robust safety measures, continually updated as per the latest rules and regulations. These include maintaining a safe distance between personnel at all times. This is based on the national guidelines in the country in which DSHV is operating, but not less than 1.5 metres. The service can be provided alongside as well as during voyage according to requirements.
Personnel are required to observe strict hygiene requirements and wear high quality PPE. DSHV sets up two separate and isolated areas. These safety zones are used prior to attendance and after disembarking of the vessel. These areas are used for testing, washing, disinfecting, dressing, and undressing (of PPE as per latest standards).
