Cruise industry adopts three new safety policies

Crewmembers on cruise ships around the world will secure heavy objects such as pianos and treadmills when not in use as part of a safety policy announced today by two industry groups.

The new Securing Heavy Objects policy, announced jointly by the Cruise Lines International Association and European Cruise Council, will apply to all ocean-going vessels operated by member lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland America. Nearly every major cruise line in the world is a member of one or both groups.

The two groups today also unveiled a life jacket policy for newly constructed ocean-going ships that requires a life jacket for every passenger and crew member to be stowed in close proximity to either muster stations or lifeboat embarkation points.

Cruise ships currently carry far more life jackets than are needed to accommodate every passenger and crew member, but on some vessels a large percentage of those life jackets are stored in cabins, with fewer than one per person available at muster stations.

"This policy further enhances shipboard safety as passengers will have even greater access to life jackets in the event of an emergency," the industry groups said in a statement.

A third policy unveiled today by the industry groups requires consistent procedures on ship bridges.

The industry groups say the new Securing Heavy Objects policy already is being implemented, with lines carrying out fleetwide inspections to ensure heavy objects are properly secured. The new policy will require heavy objects to be secured during rough weather in addition to during periods when they are not in use.

The policies are just the latest to come out of an industry-wide review of safety procedures begun after the capsizing of the Costa Concordia. The January accident left 32 people dead and raised questions about the safety of cruise ships.

Other safety policies rolled out since the spring have addressed muster drill procedures, lifeboat training for crew, cruise ship route planning and personnel access to the bridge.