A new course exploring how crew members can shield themselves from coronavirus while at sea is being launched by OneLearn Global on June 25, the Day of the Seafarer.

The ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advice for Shipboard Personnel’ programme is an interactive, visually striking course that covers topics ranging from cleaning and disinfecting the ship to dealing with port calls in affected areas.

Crew members taking the programme will learn how to stay healthy while travelling, what to do if they become ill and get the latest health management and hygiene guidance. Managing suspected COVID-19 cases onboard, coronavirus variants and the importance of getting vaccinated are also explored in the course, which has the following six modules:

• Understanding your responsibility and role on board
• Finding ways to self-manage during this period
• Be able to recognise the symptoms of all affected personnel
• Understand cleaning, disinfection and waste management
• Manage ports calls in affected areas
• Learn about covid variants and vaccination

The condensed course, which can be carried out online or offline from anywhere in the world and at anytime, features engaging voiceover videos, animations and images. Crewmembers can choose how many modules they wish to do at any one time whenever they log on to OneLearn Global’s Learning Management System.

Nigel Cleave, senior advisor at OneLearn Global, said that Day of the Seafarer – which recognises the “fabulous” contribution crewmembers make to international trade and the world economy – was a fitting occasion to launch the course.

“Global trade would be severely hindered without seafarers who are responsible for moving 90 per cent of the world’s goods,” he said. “They have continued working throughout the pandemic, despite the risks they face from the virus.

“Our course helps these key workers to understand the effects of the virus, the measures they can take to protect themselves and their fellow colleagues from covid-19 and what to do if anyone catches it. Their safety is absolutely paramount, which is why we have launched this programme on Day of the Seafarer – an occasion to remember the fantastic and vital work they do.”