|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cruising is one of the safest vacations. To ensure the
safety and security of guests, cruise ship companies
work with professional organizations such as the
International Council of Cruise Lines and comply with
the International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life
at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. The Canadian and US Coast
Guards conduct routine vessel inspections, focusing on
fire safety systems, life saving equipment as well as
safety and environmental protection items.
Shortly after passengers come aboard, they go
through a mandatory abandon-ship drill to ensure they
know where life jackets are located, how to wear them
properly, the location of their assigned lifeboat
station, the location of other emergency equipment, and
what signals and instructions will be used in event of
an emergency. All cruise ships carry enough lifeboats, life rafts and personal flotation
devices (life jackets) for the full compliment of
passengers and crew, plus extras in reserve. Safety
equipment is regularly inspected and certified.
Crewmembers are trained in basic
firefighting, man overboard, abandon ship and other
emergency procedures. To ensure the level of training is
maintained, there are practice drills for crew
throughout each voyage and periodic inspections.
Safety at sea also involves careful monitoring of
sanitary conditions since any ship is essentially a
closed environment where disease can quickly spread. A
vessel’s sanitary conditions and procedures are
routinely inspected to ensure proper sanitation for
drinking water, food storage, preparation and
handling as well as general cleanliness. However,
passengers should remember that the single most
effective thing they can do to prevent the transmission
of disease is regular, thorough hand washing.
|
|
|
|
|
