CONCERNED residents have written to the prime minister pleading with him to stop ships coming to Falmouth from the Ebola stricken country of Sierra Leone.

The call comes after the Packet was the first newspaper to break the story that two vessels are expected to dock in the town next month, coming straight from the country at the centre of the deadly outbreak. 

Only last week the RFA Argus headed from Falmouth in the opposite direction to help try and control the virus, which has already claimed thousands of lives on the African continent.

“Concerned locals” Elaine Clay, Wendy Barnwell and Julia Braddon, from Falmouth, wrote the letter to David Cameron after reading about the possible arrival of two ships and their crew at thepacket.co.uk

Referring to one of the ships, the Gypsum Centennial, the three women say that they are very concerned that the ship was on its way to Falmouth Docks for a refit by A&P.

“As residents in Falmouth we feel very strongly that the Gypsum Centennial from Sierra Leone should not be allowed to dock in Falmouth for a two-week refit in November due to the Ebola outbreak. 

“If an outbreak was to occur the medical facilities in Cornwall would not have the sufficient workforce to deal with the virus.”

They have also written to Peter Child, managing director of A&P Falmouth, asking what precautions were being taken to “ensure that the people of Falmouth are protected from the Ebola virus” and whether the crew would be tested by medical professionals. 

The women tell the prime minister that they feel the refit should be postponed until the virus is under control to reduce the risk to the people of Falmouth and Cornwall.

“We feel that this is a very serious matter and needs to be dealt with some urgency,” they say.

The two ships are due to arrive in mid-November, including, it is understood, the Bermuda-registered carrier vessel Gypsum Centennial for repairs at Falmouth Docks, after A&P Falmouth won the contract. 

Its most recent port of call was Pepel on Monday, and before that Freetown. Both are localities of Sierra Leone, which is at the centre of the Ebola outbreak that has so far killed more than 4,500 people, and where a state of public emergency has been declared. 

A spokesperson for Public Health England, which has taken over responsibility from the Port Health Authority in this instance, told the Packet this week: “Public Health England can confirm it is aware of two ships due to arrive into Falmouth from Sierra Leone in mid-November.

“Updated guidance has been issued to seaports; this guidance is constantly under review and we will look to provide further advice and support to seaports as required. 

“As is standard procedure, the captain has a duty to notify the Port Health Authority if anyone on board is unwell.

“Appropriate measures will be planned and taken by Public Health England closer to the arrival of the ships.”

It is understood that more specific guidance will be given to the Falmouth authorities nearer to the time, with the situation “constantly being reviewed and revised.”

Captain Mark Sansom, chief executive and harbour master at Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC), said he had seen advice on the risks and precautions associated with Ebola, as part of a circular issued by the International Maritime Organisation to all member states in September.

Further guidance has been issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ports. 

He said: “The MCA is continuing to maintain a list of vessels of interest that have been to countries where the Ebola virus is present and will advise ports accordingly if one of these vessels is scheduled to call. 

“Should a vessel calling at Falmouth appear on the list of vessels of interest then the duty harbour master will contact the relevant health authorities so that specific advice can be obtained.” 

Captain Sansom added: “We are advised that the risk of anyone on a vessel arriving in Falmouth carrying the virus, but not exhibiting symptoms, is considered to be low due to the lengthy voyage time. 

“FHC has taken the required steps to promulgate the latest international and government advice and will continue to do so. Vessel masters have a statutory duty to report outbreak of diseases to the Port Health Authority prior to arrival.”

It is not known how long it will take the ships to travel between Sierra Leone, but if steering a direct course it could take as little as 12 days - well below the 21-day incubation period for the virus - although it is also possible to take more than 20 days. 

Falmouth has already found itself at the heart of news coverage of the disease after the RFA Argus set sail from the port on a mercy mission to West Africa. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to Sierra Leone, except for those involved in the direct response to the Ebola outbreak, due to the narrow commercial options for flights and the impact of the outbreak on medical facilities.

A&P Falmouth issued the following statement regarding the ship: "A&P Falmouth can confirm the vessel arriving in mid-November for a major refit is the Gypsum Centennial, operated by Beltship of Monaco. She will be the third Beltship vessel to have docked in Falmouth in the past 12 months and the company is an important customer for A&P. Like all shipping companies operating in Africa, Beltship is fully aware of the issue and has taken extensive measures to guard against the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

"Gypsum Centennial is a self-discharging Bulker 197m by 32m 38,800 dwt. She is on charter carrying iron for Africa Minerals from a mine inland to Freeport in Sierra Leone. Her last port of call before Falmouth is at present Banjul, Gambia. She is Bermudan flagged and Lloyds UK Registered. 

"A&P has strict safety and environmental policies and procedures and a duty of care to its employees and the public. The company follows all Government guidelines issued by the Cornwall Port Health Authority, Public Health England and the other relevant local authorities. These organisations control vessels entering the UK from all over the world. 

"As with all ships from overseas A&P informed all relevant authorities weeks ago when the Gypsum Centennial visit was planned. The company has also briefed Devon and Cornwall Police.

"Cornwall Port Health Authority has issued all Cornish harbour authorities with a fact sheet giving information in regard to Ebola. They emphasised that the risk to the UK is very small and at the moment no special measures are required at our ports and will review the situation regularly.

"A&P will monitor this guidance closely and act in accordance. A&P note these same rules will be applied to RFA Argus when she returns from her deployment in West Africa in 2015."