ANTARCTICA: CRUISE SHIPS

28 January 2010: Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government what further steps can be taken to ensure the safety of Antarctic cruise ships. Lord Faulkner of Worcester: And now for something completely different, my Lords. The United Kingdom is closely involved in the development of internationally accepted safety criteria within the International Maritime Organisation and the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. A revised set of guidelines for ships operating in polar waters was recently adopted by the IMO. Additionally, the IMO will develop a comprehensive mandatory instrument for ships operating in polar waters to enhance the current guidelines covering the design, equipment and operation of ships in those waters, including Antarctic cruise ships. Read full report in Hansard

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