Norwegian Cruise Line
said it will employ lifeguards on its ships, adding to the list of
cruise lines taking that water safety step.
The Norwegian
lifeguards will be trained and certified by the American Red Cross in lifesaving
rescue measures and will monitor the family pools during scheduled pool hours.
The lifeguards will begin this summer on the line's four largest ships --
Norwegian Escape, Getaway, Breakaway and Epic -- and on the remainder of the
fleet by early 2018.
"Norwegian has stationed
pool monitors on our largest ships since 2015, and we are now taking further
steps to ensure the safety of our youngest guests with the addition of
certified lifeguards across our fleet," said Andy Stuart, president and CEO of
Norwegian. "While parents are always the first line of supervision when it
comes to water safety, we felt it was important to provide this added measure
across our fleet."
Norwegian's move
follows by several months the installation of lifeguards on Royal Caribbean
International ships. Disney Cruise Line added lifeguards to its quartet
of ships in 2013. Prior to that,
all cruise lines followed a “swim at your own risk” policy, cautioning
passengers around the pool area with signage.
Children have drowned or nearly drowned
in pools on cruise ships several times in the past five years. In 2015, a
10-year-old drowned in a crowded swimming pool on the Norwegian
Gem.
In addition to
uniformed lifeguards, Norwegian will also begin offering complimentary swim
vests for both adults and children on the line's four largest ships. Parents
can obtain the safety vests at the towel station on the ship's pool deck during
daytime hours, Norwegian said.