Cruise passengers with COVID offloaded in Darwin after outbreak

A Coral Expeditions cruise ship recently became the site of a COVID outbreak and had to drop 17 passengers off in Darwin.

The Coral Geographer docked in Darwin Harbour early on Tuesday with 74 guests and 38 crew onboard after a journey through the Kimberley region.

It was confirmed by Northern Territory Health that 17 guests and crew caught COVID since the ship embarked from Broome 10 days earlier.

The cruise line sai33 Comments in moderationd the COVID positive passengers isolated on board as required by NT and Western Australian law, according to The Guardian.

“NT Health was advised of the detection and management of cases on board throughout the voyage,” a spokesperson said.

“Affected guests and crew were provided care by onboard medical specialists.”

The infected passengers were reportedly transported to hotels in Darwin to complete their isolation periods.

Coral Expeditions said all guests and crew were vaccinated and reportedly all returned negative COVID tests.

The cruise line also said that it had operated more than 100 cruises during the pandemic without any COVID incidents.

This outbreak came two weeks after another outbreak on a Coral Expeditions ship meant it had to dock in Broome last month.

WA authorities had to contain the outbreak which affected an unknown number of the 72 passengers and crew on the Coral Discoverer.

Coral Expeditions commercial director Jeff Gillies told the NT News on Tuesday that the cruise line complied with health and safety directions from NT and WA health.

“In the NT, maritime vessels are permitted to allow positive cases and close contacts to safely disembark and move to suitable accommodation to complete their isolation requirements,” Gillies said.

“This was managed in Darwin by Coral Expeditions who arranged transport and lodgings in a safe manner and in full collaboration with health authorities. All unaffected guests and crew disembarked as normal.”