THE global cruise industry has announced
the adoption of another safety policy,
addressing issues relating to the loading of
lifeboats by crew members.
US peak body Cruise Lines International
Association, and the European Cruise Council,
said the new policy exceeds international
regulatory requirements, and is an outcome of
the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review
which was introduced in January this year
following the Costa Concordia disaster.
The Life Boat Loading for Training Purposes
policy ensures that crew members are fully
conversant with lifeboat operations, requiring
the launching and full loading of a lifeboat at
least once every six months for crew training.
During the training exercise the lifeboat is to
be filled to capacity with crew members and
maneuvered in the water “to facilitate
familiarisation with lifeboat operations”.
CLIA and the ECC said it was mandatory that
all crew members involved in operating or
loading of lifeboats attend the drill.
“The cruise industry continues to work on a
global level to improve the safety of passengers
and crew, which is our number one priority,”
said Christine Duffy, President and ceo of CLIA.
“Since January of this year, and in keeping
with our efforts to continuously improve
operational excellence, the global cruise
industry has voluntarily adopted seven wideranging
safety policies.
“We remain fully committed to exploring
further enhancements in a number of areas
that will add to the industry’s excellent safety
record,” she added.
MEANWHILE Carnival Corporation has
appointed Tom Strang as senior vice president
of maritime development and compliance,
covering safety operations for the Costa
Cruises,AIDA and Iberocruceros brands.
