Cruise industry safety at sea
The Cruise Industry’s Safety
Requirements
The cruise industry is a heavily
regulated industry with safety as the top priority
·
Cruising
is extremely safe and one of the safest forms of travel among all comparable
forms of passenger transportation. All cruise ships must be designed and
operated in compliance with strict requirements of international law. Ships
must follow an extraordinary number of rules and regulations to protect
passengers and crew while onboard.
·
Ship
Captains and all crew undertake extensive and ongoing training, certification
and drills for emergency situations, including ship evacuations.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:
What are the minimum safety requirements for cruise ships?
A: The average cruise ship
carrying approximately 2,700 passengers and 800 crew, typically has 5
firefighting teams, 4,000 smoke detectors, 500 fire extinguishers, 16 miles of
sprinkler piping, 5,000 sprinkler heads and 6 miles of fire hose. All cruise ships are required to have:
·
Lifeboats,
life rafts and life preservers for every person on board as well as additional
capacity
·
Lifeboats
capable of being loaded, launched and maneuvered away from
a ship within 30
minutes of a Captain’s order
·
Safety
drills in multiple languages held prior to departure from port
·
Advanced
navigational instruments and systems
Q: What happens if I become sick or
injured on a cruise ship?
A: Doctors
on board international ships are trained and licensed with at least three years
of clinical experience, including minor surgery and emergency care. Modern
cruise ships also have sophisticated medical facilities ranging from intensive
care units to x-ray suites and laboratories for blood testing.
Q: What should I know about
norovirus?
A: Historic incidence rates of gastrointestinal illness aboard
cruise ships are low and the vast majority of outbreaks occur in land-based
settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. The cruise industry has
taken steps to prevent sick passengers from bringing norovirus on board a ship
and, in the rare instances of an outbreak, immediately employ numerous
practices to mitigate its spread and treat ill passengers and crew.
Safety Tips for Cruisers
Before you go…
·
Book all cruise
vacations through a trusted travel professional who can assist you through the
entire travel planning process or help if there is a problem with your trip
·
Keep a
photocopied packet of your passport, credit card info., and insurance info. and driver’s
license at home or with friends/family where it can be accessed if needed
·
Make an emergency
plan with those you are sailing with
While on-board…
·
Attend all
mandatory safety drills and listen carefully to instructions
·
Familiarize
yourself with your surroundings - exits, evacuation stations, stairways,
location of life vests, etc.
·
Inform the ship’s
staff of any special requirements or allergies, etc. you may have
·
Be sure to ask
any questions you may have about safety procedures
·
Avoid
participation in risky behaviors like excessive consumption of alcohol and admitting
strangers to your cabin. Report any concerns to ship security
·
In short, do what
you would do at home to ensure your health and safety
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