WORRIED maintenance crews at a Greenock shipyard claim bosses told them to carry on working despite a Covid scare which sparked a 'deep clean' of a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry.

Dales Marine staff at Garvel Dry Dock say managers refused to meet with them and told them to keep servicing the MV Hebridean Isles vessel and 'wash their hands'.

Concerns were raised through the yard on Monday after a CalMac crew member on the vessel currently at the yard tested positive for coronavirus.

A source told the Telegraph: "Management have told us there's more chance of catching it in Tesco.

"We've to carry on working and wash our hands.

"Management won't leave the office to have a meeting, neither will the health and safety manager.

"They're telling us if we have a problem to go home or speak on a one-to-one basis.

"We all use the same gate, toilets, work on the boat in close proximity

"Management have also said we need to be within a metre and around ten minutes proximity of the crew member to catch it.

"There is a clear violation of health and safety.

"Workers and their families' lives may be at risk."

Another Dales worker said: "We have just been told to carry on as normal even though CalMac are clearing the ship and undergoing a deep clean.

"Our guys are on and off the ship continuously, the yard is to be deep cleaned also but we've to keep working until it happens."

Dales Marine insisted that 'immediate action' had been taken when bosses were told of the positive test.

A spokeswoman for the company said: "There has been no outbreak of Covid at Dales Marine Greenock, and to-date no employee has tested positive or shown any symptoms of the virus.

"If they do, they are advised to stay at home and inform Dales Marine in line with company Covid measures.

"The owner of the visiting vessel has separately dealt with and managed their own vessel and its crew, and some privacy on the matter has been applied to the client."

The spokeswoman added: "Dales Marine has also taken extra precautionary steps, with both the visiting vessel and the yard.

"Both were scheduled for disinfecting by a third party contractor on Monday evening.

"This is standard practice for Dales Marine for any situation of this nature."

The company's statement continued: "Dales Marine provides every member of staff with the appropriate PPE, which includes face masks, gloves and other PPE.

"Hand sanitisers are placed around the entire yard, at entrances and exits, Dales has sufficient stock of both PPE and hand sanitiser.

"Every employee is advised to use PPE, hand sanitiser and regular handing washing, in line with COVID guidelines.

"Employees are advised to keep a safe distance from one another and visiting vessels' crew.

"Dales Marine employees and visiting vessels' crew do not use the same facilities; visiting crew will use their own facilities on board.

"Employees have been advised of the current situation and updated as to what steps Dales Marine has taken to safeguard both employees and the facilities.

"If any employee is concerned about their health, they are to remain at home and keep Dales Marine Services informed of their situation."

CalMac operations director Robert Morrison said: "CalMac has strict protocols in place with regards to members of staff testing positive for Covid-19.

"These were followed immediately, with the crew members being told to self-isolate and to seek a test if they develop symptoms.

"The Hebridean Isles was in dry dock when a crew member tested positive and the vessel will be deep cleaned as a precaution before being returned to service with a relief crew."

MV Hebridean Isles operates on the Kennacraig to Islay route.