fred henderson
23rd May 2006, 22:11
In recent threads we have debated the effectiveness of the UK MCA and mentioned the toughness of US Coastguard inspections. Although USCG is very thorough, the problem is that the owners are aware of the date when the inspection will be made and they have an opportunity to get their act together.
I have read an interesting report about the US Centers for Disease Control, Vessel Sanitation Program, which in 1975 began inspecting passenger ships visiting US Ports. They arrive without warning and although they can only issue recommendations, except in the direst circumstances when they call USCG in to quarantine the ship they have been very effective. The CDC approach is to publish their findings. Initially they faxed every travel agent in USA, now they post their “green sheets” on the internet. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp
Ships are allocated marks out of 100. A pass mark is 85. When they began very few ships passed. In the mid 1970s most cruise ships were still old passenger liners, many of whom were home to any number of vermin acquired over decades of service. Food was loaded prior to the voyage and stored in aging or inadequate refrigeration systems that ran too hot to prevent deterioration. On the other hand dishwashing machines usually ran too cold.
The CDC reports have gradually driven the older ships out of the US market to the European and Far East scene. If you look at the above web site you will see that some ships (Oriana for example) achieve 100%. The worst ever was Norway. She was inspected when she first arrived from conversion from France and received a score of 8%!
The guys who break up Blue Lady may face health risks that are almost as great as the passengers and crew of the newly introduced Norway!
Fred (Read)
I have read an interesting report about the US Centers for Disease Control, Vessel Sanitation Program, which in 1975 began inspecting passenger ships visiting US Ports. They arrive without warning and although they can only issue recommendations, except in the direst circumstances when they call USCG in to quarantine the ship they have been very effective. The CDC approach is to publish their findings. Initially they faxed every travel agent in USA, now they post their “green sheets” on the internet. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp
Ships are allocated marks out of 100. A pass mark is 85. When they began very few ships passed. In the mid 1970s most cruise ships were still old passenger liners, many of whom were home to any number of vermin acquired over decades of service. Food was loaded prior to the voyage and stored in aging or inadequate refrigeration systems that ran too hot to prevent deterioration. On the other hand dishwashing machines usually ran too cold.
The CDC reports have gradually driven the older ships out of the US market to the European and Far East scene. If you look at the above web site you will see that some ships (Oriana for example) achieve 100%. The worst ever was Norway. She was inspected when she first arrived from conversion from France and received a score of 8%!
The guys who break up Blue Lady may face health risks that are almost as great as the passengers and crew of the newly introduced Norway!
Fred (Read)