Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, said that effective immediately all ships will hold guest muster drills on the day of departure.
The move is a direct result of the Jan. 13 Costa Concordia disaster and followed a similar statement last week by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., parent of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.
Typically, Prestige said, all Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises vessels hold muster drills on the same day of departure, with few exceptions.
"On just a handful of occasions the drill is held the following morning, primarily to accommodate late-arriving guests," stated Robin Lindsay, executive vice president of vessel operations for Prestige Cruise Holdings. "However, in light of the recent tragic event, Oceania and Regent have adopted a new policy that requires all muster drills to take place on day of departure."
All Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises vessels are designed and operated in compliance with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization, which mandates global standards for the safety and operation of cruise ships, through adoption of regulations, resolutions and treaties, said Prestige.
In addition, it noted, all officers and crew who have specific safety functions, such as evacuation leaders, boat commanders, fire teams, and lifeboat launching teams, regularly conduct simulated emergency training drills.
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