John A Bastek News

The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), a trade organization representing the North American cruise industry, has appointed John A. Bastek as interim president. Bastek, who has served as ICCL vice president since January 1999, will be responsible for daily operations of the Association until a permanent replacement is named. He was named to the position after Cynthia A. Colenda, announced in November that she was stepping down as ICCL president, effective January 1, 2000.

The 17-member cruise lines of the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) submitted to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) three new policies addressing onboard safety requirements and procedures. These policies were ratified unanimously at ICCL's biannual board of directors meeting in Miami on March 10. The three policies include: identification of a helicopter pick-up area onboard each of the vessels, for use during a medical emergency (recommended but not required by U.S. or international law); provision and storage of additional lifejackets equivalent to the number of passengers in the cabins of the largest designated safety area onboard each ship (exceeds current U.S.