Harbour master offered to prevent Ruby Princess docking after Border Force call, inquiry told

Sydney harbour master says ship was allowed to dock even though he had concerns about putting a pilot on board because of coronavirus

• Sign up for Guardian Australia's daily coronavirus email
• Download the free Guardian app to get the most important news notifications

The harbour master on duty when the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on 19 March offered to turn it around" when he was called by the Australian Border Force expressing concerns about the ship, a special commission of inquiry has heard.

The inquiry into the cruise ship, which has been linked to 21 deaths and almost 700 cases of Covid-19, also heard that the ship was hurried" back to Sydney because coronavirus swabs on board needed urgent testing, and that a sick passenger was taken by ambulance directly to a Covid-designated area" of Royal Prince Alfred hospital.