MCA inspects cruise ships after crew welfare concerns raised

Surveyors acting for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has detained the Astoria cruise ship at Tilbury Docks.

According to MCA, the detention was a preventative measure in line with UK Regulations, in order that a full inspection of the ship related to the Maritime Labour Convention could be carried out before its intended departure.

Five other ships of the same company, Global Cruise Lines Ltd, four of which  also based at Tilbury and one at Bristol, were also being inspected.

Acting as the Port State Control Authority for the UK, the MCA had taken this action following a number of serious concerns which were raised about the welfare of the crew.

Katy Ware (pictured), Director of Maritime Safety and Standards at MCA and the UK’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization said: ‘We will always take reports around crew welfare seriously and we have used our powers as the Port State Control authority to carry out this detention so that we can investigate more fully. ‘