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2021 IN REVIEW | Cruising risk management In association with Envista Forensics
Cruising in the US: The return to service
Kevin Byers, (left) Project Engineer, Marine Practice and Kirsten Hoedlmoser, (right) Technical Lead, Environmental and Industrial Hygiene Group, at forensic consulting and engineering services group, Envista Forensics, explain what the cruise sector is doing to return to normal after a tough few years in the pandemic The latter half of 2021 saw a return to cruising out of the US, with the largest cruise lines returning more than 50% of their ships back to service. To do so in a safe and effective manner, the US Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Framework for Conditional Sailing Order for cruise ships established guidelines for a phased resumption of cruise ship passenger operations. Additionally, many cruise lines have implemented operational restrictions and technical changes to their engineering systems to go above and beyond these requirements. At the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, cruise ships were in the headlines for uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreaks, closed ports, and stranded crews and passengers. The initial No Sail Order issued by the CDC on March 14, 2020, was maintained through the end of 2020 and well into 2021, with the first paid-passenger cruise departing Port Everglades in June The Marine Insurer | January 2022
of this year. From that point, resumption of cruising in the US states has accelerated with major lines expected to have all ships back in service by mid-2022.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS The Framework for Conditional Sailing Order requires cruise ships to adhere to a minimum set of standards which aim to mitigate COVID-19 risk to passengers and crews, prevent community spread, and protect public health and safety. Requirements range from testing and vaccinations prior to boarding a cruise, efforts to mitigate spread on the ship and during shore excursions, and planning and preparation for controlling an outbreak and evacuating a person who requires immediate medical attention not available on board. This includes designation and preparation of guest and crew cabins specifically for quarantine and isolation for people who
