Cruise passenger safety recommendations adopted

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee has incorporated a number of recommendations from the ongoing Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review in its meetings in London, being held May 16-25. The committee focused extensive attention on passenger ship safety and considered a number of recommendations developed by the Review, launched on behalf of the global cruise industry in January, along with other safety recommendations submitted by IMO member governments. “CLIA commends the IMO, its Secretary-General, the Maritime Safety Committee and the 170 IMO member states around the world for their ongoing commitment to working with the industry to improve the safety of passengers and crew, which is the number one priority of CLIA members,”said CLIA president Christine Duffy. “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the IMO and a wide range of stakeholders to undertake further continuous consideration, development and implementation of measures to strengthen our industry’s safety culture.”At the meeting, the IMO put forth immediate actions to enhance passenger ship safety, with the Review the source of many of the items. The Review includes a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety and the development of comprehensive best practices for industry-wide implementation. (http://www.cruising.org)