A claim that 140 passengers were in self isolation when the Ruby Princess was approaching Sydney Harbour has been made by Nine newspapers.
Over night, a number of police boarded the Ruby Princess to start investigations. Photos have emerged of the detectives in protective gear walking the gangplank.
The Daily Telegraph reported this morning that detectives seized evidence and questioned crew members about the docking and disembarking.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller confirmed that some of the items seized include the Ruby Princess’ black box.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian Border Force officer said she had concerns about passengers disembarking, as she said she had been made aware that 140 passengers onboard were in self isolation.
The paper claims a source said that the harbour master was told by the Border Force officer that she needed to check with her supervisor, and 15 minutes later she called back and said the ship could dock.
The paper claims its source is someone with knowledge of official inquiries, and the Herald’s reporters were told this will be a crucial element to the NSW Police investigation.
There are currently 650 passengers with COVID-19 and 15 passengers have died from the virus who were on board the Ruby Princess.
Carnival Australia declined to comment on the claims in the Herald article.
The NSW Police today launched the investigation into the docking and disembarking of passengers. Among those taking part are officers from the counter terrorism and special tactics squad.
“A team of 30 detectives from across State Crime, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics and Marine Area Commands have been seconded to Strike Force Bast, who will be assisted by intelligence analysts and other specialist officers,” said a statement.
“The first investigations briefing was conducted this morning (Wednesday 8 April 2020), and taskings have since commenced.”
Earlier this week, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller announced the commencement of a criminal investigation into the communications, actions, and other circumstances that led to the Ruby Princess disembarking.
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Hi My wife and I have done around 40 plus cruises and these days we mainly cruise with Princess and like the other comments regarding Royal Caribbean and the whole washing hands at the Windjammer etc etc we also have experienced Princess doing exactly the same thing and after every meal in the dining room they clean down tables , chairs etc and staff are continually cleaning handrails etc etc.. What we have experienced first hand is other passengers lack of personal hygiene, I see men go to the toilet leave without washing their hands and the first thing they touch is the door handles and if they are a bit enebriated the hand rails around the ship and people who are obviously sick coming to the dining room coughing frequently spreading germs everywhere and unfortunately the ships are air conditioned so the bacteria and virus get circulated all through the ship. Its an unfortunate thing but people need to start looking at their personal hygiene and stop laying the blame on the Cruise lines.
A group of six in princess cruise at Xmas out of Perth,we were made to wash our hands every time we entered any dinning area, also spin reentering ship if we were coming on board after sightseeing.
Also on our deck a couple were put into lock down a officer was stationed outside there cabin 24 hours .
Is the action of a cruise ship who would just let sick passengers of a ship without telling the authorities, I don’t think so.
For information, the flights are being paid for by the cruise line’s insurer and not the Australian government.
Hi we came off the Ruby Princess on the 8th March an my husband had influenza A no one has checked or spoke to us
Lot of people on our cruise were coughing not good
I think it was on the ship .
N S W it wasn’t me ??
And yet the Greg Mortimer ship that has over half its passengers infected still out at sea and DfAT are in process of organizing repriation flights to get these people home from their 70k cruise from uraguay to Antarctic at the cost of 15k per head (which govt) are mostky going to cover hers no headlines. Wtf is going on here??
My wife and i cruise with Royal Caribbean we have had 40 plus cruises with them we had 11 cruises in 2019 7 on the Voyager of the seas .The daily meals —-
1/ Breakfast in the Windjamer restaurant before you walk inside you MUST wash your hands there is a crew member standing watching you are sent back if you fail to do this .He also has hand sanitary liquid he sprays into your hands and this was before the corona virus .
2 / Lunch the same as the above .
Also on this ship DAILY crew members are cleaning the stairway hand rails with a sanitary liquid .I cant comment on other cruise lines but Royal Caribbean keep the ships clean to our satisfaction 5 cruises booked for 2020
The ships have always been a hygiene trap the bar man picks up used glasses and goes back to the bar and makes you a drink no washe washe for them the cabin man uses the same rag in each cabin also touches the cups glasses without washing hands the special pastry man comes round the tables offering them people talk and touch them the hygiene should have a cover over them
Police are looking for a way to cover up Border Force incompetence.