Repatriating an unwell crew member in challenging circumstances

Client

A Leading Provider of Technology-Driven Maritime Solutions

Sector

Maritime

Approved nikos gazelidis
Nikos Gazelidis

Chief Commercial Officer, Marine

e: nikos.gazelidis@atpi.com

After being denied boarding at Singapore Changi Airport, a crew member found himself stranded and unable to travel home to Bombay. The crew member was unexpectedly taken ill at the airport and declared medically unfit to travel. His condition was deemed critical and the traveller was immediately taken to the hospital from the airport.

Find out how ATPI responded effectively and efficiently to get the crew member home.

The Client

The client is a leading provider of technology driven maritime solutions, offering services supporting the complete lifecycle of a vessel from new building supervision to end-of-life recycling guidance. The client operates globally with a shore-based team of 1000 and more than 7,000 highly qualified seafarers, serving nearly all vessel segments.

The Challenge

After being denied boarding at Singapore Changi airport, a crew member found himself stranded and unable to travel home to Bombay.

The crew member was unexpectedly taken ill at the airport and declared medically unfit to travel. His condition was deemed critical and the traveller was immediately taken to the hospital from the airport.

With travel restrictions in place, it became increasingly challenging to obtain permissions for an unwell passenger to travel home. In this mission critical situation, the client relied on the experience and resources of ATPI Marine & Energy in order to safely repatriate their crew member.

The Solution

The first step taken was to identify which flights would be the best option for the traveller. Given his condition, it was agreed that a direct flight would be best for his journey home. This limited the travel options available, as Air India was the only airline to be operating direct flights between Singapore and Bombay at this time.

The traveller’s medical condition required him to have medical clearance in order to make the journey.

ATPI Marine & Energy’s team of experts bridged the gap between the client and Air India and managed all communications in order to explain the challenges of the situation. The requirement for an escort added further complexity to the journey due to travel restrictions in place for those travelling from Singapore to India and jeopardised the journey.

ATPI completed all necessary reports and travel documentation that were required for travel.

After working closely with the traveller’s medical team and Air India, ATPI secured approval for the journey to take place with the assistance of the Air India team onboard the flight. ATPI then coordinated with Air India locally to make arrangements and give the passenger assistance until boarding and upon reaching India.

ATPI secured approval for the journey to take place without the need for an escort, but with the assistance of the Air India team onboard the flight.

The Result

After 7 days the traveller was able to board his flight from Singapore to Bombay and, assisted by the team onboard, enjoyed a
safe journey home. The client was equally as pleased with the result as the passenger and felt relieved that their crew member
was now homeward bound.

The exercise only further strengthened the relationship between the client and ATPI Marine & Energy, with the client now having first-hand experience of how ATPI’s expertise and global presence could help in the event of an emergency and deliver what really matters – safe travel for valued crew.

Learn more about ATPI’s sector-specific offering to the maritime industry