SailSAFE – Our Health & Safety Plan for Guests and Crew

Coral Expeditions’ priority is always to keep guests and crew safe while travelling. Guests and crew should have the greatest confidence that their safety and wellbeing has been thoroughly considered while travelling with the line.

A range of measures and associated health protocols have been put in place to manage expeditions while COVID-19 exists. Respond Global, an experienced medical advisory agency, assisted in the development of this preventative response system – one that is among the most thorough in the world.

This SailSAFE plan focuses on prevention, targeting a 100 per cent COVID free environment onboard our vessels. With the implementation of a three-tiered medical screening protocol, guests can be assured that everyone onboard has passed through this screening process. The SailSAFE plan offers peace of mind while exploring Australia’s coastlines, and then the world, with Coral Expeditions.

“We have put in place a range of measures and associated protocols to manage our expeditions in a world in which COVID-19 exists. Our plan focuses on prevention, to target a 100% COVID free environment onboard.”

Marcus Dudley, SailSAFE Director, Coral Expeditions

Three-tier Screening

Coral Expeditions’ SailSAFE Plan takes a preventative approach. A three-tier screening process includes self-evaluation, GP visit, and PCR COVID-19 test, with negative results required to board.

Coral asks that all guests and crew self-isolate to whatever extent is possible before arriving for their departure by only completing essential activities, limiting exposure to large social gatherings and public spaces.

The line also asks that guests take a COVID-19 PCR test 72-24 hours prior to embarkation time, providing proof of negative results as you arrive to check-in. This forms part of a clearance to travel, which will be completed by a Coral Expeditions medical practitioner as you arrive at the departure port a day prior to your expedition.

Coral provides transfers when necessary to the vessel for all guests.

Coral Expeditions

Onboard Bubble

The pre-screening protocol for guests and crew, including shore-support crew, creates a protected onboard bubble, while physical distancing is in place for dining, lectures, and shore excursions. To maintain this safe environment, Coral also provides transfers when necessary to the vessel for all guests. These transfers undergo hygiene and disinfection protocols as required, maintaining a high level of safety always.

Medical Team

A medical professional, with onshore medical support, joins each voyage to carry out daily health and temperature checks onboard and assist in case of any illness. Guests will check in with the accompanying medical professional daily to report any changes in health and receive a touchless temperature test. Coral also promotes hand and respiratory hygiene, physical distancing, increased cleaning and disinfection procedures and comprehensive staff training.

Sanitization

A complete sanitisation plan includes the fogging of all stores and luggage, frequent sanitisation of all public surfaces, crew PPE, and hand hygiene stations placed throughout the vessel. Masks will also be provided for all guests and crew if they become unwell – or for those that choose to wear them onboard. All staff members receive comprehensive training on the complete SailSAFE plan and their corresponding responsibilities to ensure protocols are understood and practiced, including training on PPE use.

Shore Visits

Most shore visits are in unpopulated areas. If towns are visited, full risk assessments and shore protocols are in place. The risk assessment for port visits will be developed prior to each cruise and adjusted in real time as needed. Port visits may be changed or altered as required to remove exposure to shore-side hotspots or suspected outbreaks.