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With the continued increase in the
popularity of cruise vacations, there has been a similar
increased in media attention on cruising. A vast majority of
this media is extremely positive and focuses on the great
value and new developments of today's cruise vacation.
However, occasional news stories regarding ship safety,
security and sanitation do occur which may generate
questions from our clients and prospects.
Because safety -- of both passengers and
crew -- continues to be the cruise industry's number one
priority, the Cruise Line Coalition offers the following
points to help respond to customers' potential questions and
concerns regarding shipboard safety.
Note: This information is presented by the
Cruise Line Coalition and not Cruise Direct Online.
Safety Standards
All cruise ships must meet standards set
by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the
International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
Ships operating from U.S. ports
are
also subject to U.S. federal and state regulations. The U.S.
Coast Guard inspects all ships sailing out of U.S. ports
four times a year.
The International Council of Cruise Lines
(ICCL) sets guidelines and mandatory standards for cruise
companies seeking or maintaining membership in the
association. These standards meet or exceed international
and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to cruise ships.
Safety Equipment
The average cruise ship has more than
4,000 smoke detectors;,
- More than 500 fire extinguishers;
- More than 6 miles of fire fighting
hose;
- 5,000 sprinkler heads,400 fire stations
or hydrants and
sufficient lifeboats and life rafts for more than the
number of individuals onboard.
- In addition, The the average cruise ship
has more than 170 fully trained fire-fighting personnel, and
many with advanced firefighting training.,
- Emergency and medical crews are only a
few hundred feet from any possible incident. This means that
the average response time in an emergency is a matter of
minutes.
Onboard Security
A cruise ship is comparable to a secure
building with a 24-hour security guard. It is a controlled
environment with limited access.
Once underway, only documented employees
and fare-paying passengers are permitted onboard.
In addition, highly trained security
personnel are employed on every vessel.
U.S. laws protect American cruise line
passengers. The FBI and federal authorities investigate and
prosecute alleged crimes involving Americans in
international waters.
According to FBI statistics, cruise ships
are safer than virtually anywhere in the U.S. in terms of
crimes of any type.
Sanitation
Sanitation standards on cruise ships far
exceed those of any land-based facility.
The industry and the U.S. Public Health
Service's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
have jointly established construction guidelines and
operational procedures to maintain those high standards
The cruise industry voluntarily works with
the CDC, which oversees health and sanitary conditions on all
passenger vessels visiting U.S. ports.
- Ships are subject to unannounced
inspections by CDC officials, concentrating on fresh and
drinking water, spa and pool systems, food storage,
preparation and service areas, general hygiene, and waste
management equipment and facilities.
- Ships are also periodically rated through
the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) and must meet
industry standards.
The Cruise Line Coalition is a joint communications initiative
of the major cruise line organizations
International Council of Cruise Lines
Cruise Lines International Association
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
North West Cruise Ship Association
For more information on this subject and
other cruise industry topics, visit the web sites of ICCL,
www.iccl.org,
and CLIA at
www.cruising.org.
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