Cruise lines increase safety drills

The cruise industry will implement stricter lifeboat training on most international cruise lines.

Crew members of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International and many Europe-based cruise lines will conduct a lifeboat-launch drill every 6 months, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says. The policy was announced Sept. 20, 2012, by CLIA and European Cruise Council. Prior to this policy, no regulations required lifeboat drills, according to David Peikin, who is a CLIA spokesperson. Peikin didn’t specify what prompted CLIA to implement the policy now.

Consumers Digest reported on safety and security problems that are associated with cruise ships in “Troubled Waters: Why Passenger Safety & Security Must Improve” in the July/August 2011 issue.