Panel of experts to assess recommendations of cruise industry safety review

The Cruise Lines International Association has appointed a panel of experts to assess the recommendations made in an operational safety review launched by the industry following the Costa Concordia tragedy.

The panel of will evaluate suggested policy improvements as part of industry efforts to review and improve safety measures by developing comprehensive best practices for industry-wide implementation and formal submission to IMO, as appropriate.

“Our number one priority is the safety of passengers and crew. The launch of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review was consistent with our industry’s longstanding tradition of taking proactive measures to strengthen safety practices and procedures,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “The impartial opinions and advice of these distinguished experts will help achieve our goal of continuous improvement and innovation in shipboard operations and safety.”

The members of the panel of experts are:

• Mark Rosenker, former Chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a retired Major General, United States Air Force Reserve, and former Director of the White House Military Office
• Admiral Stephen Meyer, R.N. retired. Former Commander of a number of Royal Navy ships, and former head of the U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Dr. Jack Spencer, former Chief, Office of Marine Safety, U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Dr. Spencer has more than 40 years of experience with the U.S. Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board. He has also been on U.S. delegations to the IMO for 30 years
• Willem de Ruiter, former head of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). In 2003, Mr. de Ruiter was appointed as the first executive director of EMSA and charged with building up the organization, after a distinguished career in the Dutch government and at the European Commission.

“Each panel member brings deep experience in the maritime, regulatory and accident investigation fields,” says CLIA. “The panel is balanced geographically with equal representation from the United States and Europe.”

CLIA announced the launch of the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review on January 27, 2012. The review has included a comprehensive assessment of the critical human factors and operational aspects of maritime safety. As part of the review, in February, CLIA members instituted a new policy requiring mandatory emergency muster drills for embarking passengers prior to departure from port. In March, CLIA members also put forth recommendations to the IMO supporting enhanced reporting requirements to improve the consistency and transparency of marine casualty data. Additional best practices and policies developed through the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review will be announced and implemented on an ongoing basis.

April 19, 2011