In the wake of the recent COSTA CONCORDIA disaster, which claimed the lives of 32 people, including an elderly couple from White Bear Lake, Minn., the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is taking steps to improve cruise ship safety and prevent future maritime accidents.
One change the association made following the COSTA CONCORDIA tragedy was to start requiring member lines to conduct muster drills prior to a ship’s departure from port. The CLIA also launched a Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review in January, and in March, it asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance its reporting requirements and develop a more comprehensive database of cruise ship safety and fatality records.
The CLIA has now appointed a panel to evaluate the suggested policy improvements developed during the Cruise Industry Operational Safety Review. The four-person panel includes:
- Mark Rosenker, former chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Stephen Meyer, a retired admiral of the Royal Navy who formerly headed the U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch
- Dr. Jack Spencer, who has over 40 years of experience with the U.S. Coast Guard and the NTSB and has been on U.S. delegations to the IMO for 30 years
- Willem de Ruiter, former head of the European Maritime Safety Agency
The CLIA announced its panel of maritime and safety experts on Apr. 19. Hopefully the association’s efforts to improve cruise ship safety will prevent any future CONCORDIA-like incidents.
An experienced maritime attorney helps victims of cruise ship accidents stand up for their legal rights. If you or a loved one was a passenger on the COSTA CONCORDIA, or if you sustained an injury or lost a loved one in any other cruise ship accident, contact a Boston maritime attorney today.
Latti Associates LLC –Boston maritime trial lawyers