Cruise New Safety Policies

The policies address issues relate to lifejacket stowage on newly-constructed ships, the securing of heavy objects onboard ships, and the synchronisation of bridge operating procedures within commonly owned and operated fleets.

They were agreed as part of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review, which was launched in January 2012.

Under the new lifejacket policy, Clia said lifejackets equal to or greater than the number required by international regulations and the ship’s flag state would be stowed in close proximity to either muster stations or lifeboat embarkations points on newly-constructed ships.

Clia said the move meant passengers would have greater access to lifejackets in the event of an emergency.

The Securing Heavy Objects policy will see ships having to secure heavy objects including pianos, televisions, treadmills and laundry equipment, either permanently, when not in use, or during severe weather.

Member lines will be required to perform ship-wide inspections to ensure heavy objects are properly secured.

The bridge procedure changes will aim to improve consistency in operational safety procedures, as members of the ship’s bridge team often rotate among different ships.

Christine Duffy, president and chief executive of Clia said: “These three new policies build upon the other seven wide-ranging policies that the global cruise industry has proactively adopted since January of this year and are helping improve the safety of passengers and crew, which is our industry’s top priority.”

The cruise industry Operational Safety Review receives advice and input from a panel of outside maritime and safety experts.

Clia announced the launch of the Review on January 27, 2012 following the Costa Concordia tragedy on January 15.