Cruise Industry Welcomes Latest IMO Safety Recommendations
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) & the European Cruise Council (ECC) applaud new IMO safety measures. Both CLIA & ECC are pleased with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) decision to approve incorporation of the cruise industry's recommendation for the mandatory muster of passengers prior to departure from port in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This anticipated regulatory change would be incorporated in SOLAS, which provides comprehensive mandates on safety equipment and procedures for ships. The global cruise industry had already announced this measure with immediate effect on February 9, 2012, as part of the Global Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review that was launched in January.
Global Cruise Industry Adopts New Safety Policies
The new policies address issues related to the recording of passenger nationality and the common elements of musters and emergency instructions, resulting from the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review launched in January 2012. The Nationality of Passengers policy was developed in response to the request of governments at the May meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee meeting. This policy prescribes that the nationality of each passenger onboard is to be recorded and made readily available to search and rescue personnel as appropriate. Under the Common Elements of Musters and Emergency Instructions policy, member cruise lines have specified 12 common elements that will be communicated to passengers in musters and emergency instructions.
Passenger ship safety recommendations agreed by IMO’s MSC
Recommended interim measures aimed at enhancing the safety of passenger ships, in the wake of the Costa Concordia incident in January, were agreed by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), when it met at the Organization's London Headquarters for its 90th session from 16 to 25 May 2012. The MSC adopted a resolution, which invites Member States to recommend that passenger ship companies conduct a review of operational safety measures, to ships flying their flag, on a voluntary basis and “with all possible urgency and efficiency”, taking into consideration the recommended interim operational measures listed in an MSC circular. • limiting access to the bridge to those with operational or operationally related functions…
Experts Named to Evaluate Recommendations of Cruise Industry Safety Review
Washington, D.C. —The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced that it has appointed a panel of maritime and safety experts to provide an impartial assessment of the recommendations developed by the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, launched in January, 2012. This Panel of Experts will evaluate suggested policy improvements as part of continuous efforts to review and improve safety measures by developing comprehensive best practices for industry-wide implementation and. ultimately, formal submission to the International Maritime Organization, as appropriate. “Our number one priority is the safety of passengers and crew,” said Christine Duffy, President and CEO of CLIA.
CLIA Supports Transparency of Marine Casualty Data
Washington - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is recommending enhancements to regulations about the reporting of casualties at sea, as part of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, launched by CLIA and its member lines immediately following the Concordia incident. Specifically, CLIA is recommending that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) expressly and more clearly require flag states to report all “very serious marine casualties.” Very serious marine casualties are defined by the IMO and include any marine casualty resulting in a passenger or crewmember fatality, the complete loss of a ship, or serious damage to the marine environment.
Cruise Lines Seek to Allay Public Safety Fears
Operational Safety Review: As part of the cruise industry’s continuous improvement efforts to review safety measures, CLIA recently announced the launch of a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review to respond to maritime safety issues that will be learned from the Concordia incident. The Review will include a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety. It will allow for cruise lines to share best practices and procedures for operational safety…
CLIA CEO Testifies On Cruise Safety
Christine Duffy, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), will testify today on behalf of the cruise industry before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. The hearing, titled “A Review of Cruise Ship Safety and Lessons Learned from the Costa Concordia Accident,” will review the Concordia incident and explore the safety and security practices of the cruise ship industry. The Concordia accident occurred on January 13. Immediately following the grounding of the Concordia, CLIA member cruise lines launched a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review – a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.
Cruise Industry Adopts New Drill Policy
Best Practice Identified Through Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review. The global cruise industry today announced a new emergency drill policy requiring mandatory muster for embarking passengers prior to departure from port. The new policy follows the industry’s announcement on January 27 of a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review in response to the Concordia incident and as part of the industry’s continuous efforts to review and improve safety measures. The Cruise Lines International Association, European Cruise Council, and the Passenger Shipping Association put forward the new policy with the support of their member cruise lines.
