Cruise ships introduce mandatory safety drills
AP
New safety regulations introduced in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster mean that passengers will now have to take part in pre-departure safety drills before departure.
The Telegraph reports that The Cruse Liners International Association, European Cruise Council and Passenger Shipping Association said that the safety drills would now be obligatory on their ships.
Previous guidelines under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea said that only a muster drill should take place within 24 hours of embarkation.
The new policy, which is effective immediately, follows a review of safety measures following the grounding of the Italian cruise liner on January 13.
In a joint statement, the cruise ship associations said: "The formal policy is designed to help ensure that any mandatory musters or briefings are conducted for the benefit of all newly embarked passengers at the earliest practical opportunity."
They also pointed out that this "exceeds legal requirements."
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