Passengers are set to benefit from two new safety policies announced recently by the European Cruise Council, an industry association for cruise companies operating in Europe.
The European Cruise Council (ECC) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have announced two new safety policies at the request of governments across the world, which will address the recording of passenger nationalities and the issuing of emergency instructions.
Christine Duffy, the president and chief executive officer of CLIA, said, ‘Our industry continues to actively identify a range of measures that will improve the safety of passengers and crew, which is the top priority of the cruise industry.
Ongoing innovation in safety has been a hallmark of our industry for decades and we are fully committed to continuous improvement in shipboard operations and safety. We are taking a holistic look at safety as has been evidenced by the breadth and scope of the numerous policies that have been developed and adopted as part of the Review since its launch earlier this year.’
The Nationality of Passengers policy will include the recording of the nationality of each passenger onboard, while the Common Elements of Musters and Emergency Instructions policy, will specify 12 common elements to be communicated to passengers during emergencies and routine muster procedures.
The chairman of the European Cruise Council, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, said, ‘These new safety policies are representative of the industry’s commitment to raising standards across the global fleet and of our willingness to listen and act on good ideas brought forward by other interested stakeholders. Establishing common elements of a muster policy will provide our guests with the confidence that they are receiving the same key safety messages no matter which ship they cruise. Providing additional information on passengers’ nationality is a direct and immediate response to a good idea and, as with our other voluntary commitment, is applicable with immediate effect.’
