CRUISE SHIP CRISIS OFF FREMANTLE

 

Western Australia is going to have to deal with a big cruise ship crisis with the MSC Magnifica, which left Fremantle Port late yesterday, being denied to sail to Dubai, and is now off the Fremantle coast in Gage Roads.

Another cruise liner, the Artania, which was due to only refuel in Fremantle Port has reported 25 of her 800 passengers on board have respiratory illness and have requested medical help from the WA government. This ship will also not be allowed to berth in Fremantle.

The Vasco da Gama, which is due in Fremantle on Friday and end her journey here, has 798 Australian passengers on board, and they will be transported to Rottnest Island for a 14 day quarantine period, before being allowed to travel on home.

The State Government has requested help from the Federal Government in Canberra, as the issues are too big for the state to handle.

Premier Mark McGowan has made it absolutely clear though that the MSC Magnifica will not be allowed to return to Fremantle. She is fully stocked and fueled with no ill passengers, so there are other ports the ship can sail to, the Premier said.

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