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. “The launch of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review was consistent with our industry’s longstanding tradition of taking proactive measures to strengthen safety practices and procedures. The impartial opinions and advice of these distinguished experts will help achieve our goal of continuous improvement and innovation in shipboard operations and safety.”  

The distinguished members of the Panel of Experts are: Mark Rosenker, former Chairman of the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a retired Major General, United States Air Force Reserve, and former Director of the White House Military Office; Stephen Meyer, Admiral Royal Navy, retired, former commander of a number of Royal Navy ships, and former head of the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch; Dr. Jack Spencer, former Chief, Office of Marine Safety, United States National Transportation Safety Board, who has more than 40 years of experience with the U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board; and  Willem de Ruiter, former head of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), who, in 2003, was appointed as the first executive director of EMSA and charged with building up the organization, after a distinguished career in the Dutch government and at the European Commission.
Each panel member brings deep experience in the maritime, regulatory and accident investigation fields.  The Panel is balanced geographically with equal representation from the United States and Europe. 

CLIA announced the launch of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review on January 27, 2012.  The Review has included a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.  As part of the Review, in February, CLIA members instituted a new policy requiring mandatory emergency muster drills for embarking passengers prior to departure from port.