Marine Notice 04/2020 stating AMSA's interim approach to the maximum period of shipboard service for seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic was issued. An outline of AMSA's approach is quoted as follows:

==Quote==
- Where inspectors identify that a seafarer has a valid seafarer employment agreement (SEA), which is signed by all parties and is being complied with, and has served on board a vessel for less than 11 months without taking leave, no action will be taken.
- Where inspectors identify that a seafarer has a valid SEA and has served continuously on board a vessel for more than 11 months, and less than 13 months without taking leave, the master will be required to provide a plan for the seafarer's repatriation which is approved by the flag State, and results in the repatriation of the seafarer before they have served a maximum continuous period of 14 months.
- Where inspectors identify that a seafarer has a valid SEA and has continuously served on board a vessel for more than 13 months, the vessel will be prohibited from departing port until AMSA is provided with a plan for the seafarer's repatriation which is approved by the flag State and results in the repatriation of the seafarer before they have served a maximum continuous period of 14 months.
- Where inspectors identify that a seafarer does not have a valid SEA, the master will be required to arrange repatriation of the seafarer. This may require accommodating the seafarer ashore until repatriation can be arranged. If the departure of the seafarer means that the vessel's minimum safe manning requirements cannot be met, the vessel will be prohibited from departing port. However, the vessel may be allowed to move to another berth within the port or conduct port operations.
- No extensions of service without taking leave beyond 14 months will be accepted by AMSA unless the master or owner or both demonstrate satisfactorily to AMSA that all possible efforts have been expended to repatriate the seafarer without success and the seafarer has provided written confirmation accepting the extension.
==Unquote==

It is expected to take much more time than usual to change crews due to the COVID-19 situation, although Australia has announced that crew changes in their ports are possible legislatively. Please refer to the attached guidance produced by the Australian Border Force in relation to crew changes in Australia.

(To be continued)