On
behalf of the global cruise industry, Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA) today
announced its support of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on
Port State Control’s (MOU) Harmonised Verification Programme
(HAVEP), through which its 27 member States will provide focused
attention on passenger ship safety throughout the 2013calendar year.
During
the HAVEP, Port State Control Officers will inspect passenger ships
and witness a number of emergency drills and scenarios on operational
controls that govern the safe operation of passenger vessels.
The Paris MOU is a system of harmonized inspection procedures
implemented by 27 participating maritime Administrations and
covers inspection activities in the waters of
the European coastal States and the North Atlantic basin from North
America to Europe.
“The
global cruise industry welcomes the Paris MOU’s focus on passenger
ship safety in 2013 through HAVEP, as the safety of passengers and
crewmembers is the cruise industry’s number one priority,” said
Bud Darr, vice president, technical and regulatory affairs, CLIA.
“Through HAVEP, crewmembers will have additional opportunities to
showcase their preparation for emergency situations in addition to
demonstrating the extensive knowledge and training through the
conduct of comprehensive drills which are already required by both
international and national laws and industry procedures and
policies.”
The
global cruise industry is committed to continually reviewing
operational safety protocols and procedures to further improve
safety, as evidenced by the ongoing Global Cruise Industry
Operational Safety Review, a comprehensive assessment of the critical
human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety.
Every aspect of the cruise experience is heavily regulated and
monitored under both U.S. and international maritime law. Due
to the industry’s commitment to safety, backed up by strict
regulations, vigorous enforcement mechanisms and initiatives such as
HAVEP, cruising is the safest form of leisure transportation.
Source:
CLIA
