London: In an emergency situation, people on board passenger vessels have for decades expected a safe return to port. In addition, these passengers will now be provided with facilities to ensure habitable conditions for the time it takes to reach a safe port.

The mandatory IMO (SOLAS) requirement of a safe and habitable return to port will come into force by 1 July 2010. Many large cruise ships - that to a large extend meet these new requirements - have already been ordered and will start on their first cruises in a few months.

On DNV-classed vessels, duplicate propulsion, power supply and steering systems have been offered as an optional RPS-notation since the early 80s. The new Regulations ensure that a damaged vessel also will have food and beverages for the duration of any extended voyage.

“The intention behind these rules is to increase the safety and comfort of each individual passenger on board and make the vessel itself the safest place to be in an emergency situation. Of course there are some risks related to evacuation and the use of lifeboats, for example. These risk elements will be reduced by a safe return to port on board the vessel itself,” explains Karl Morten Wiklund, DNV director, passenger ships.

To ensure a safe and comfortable return to port, redundant propulsion, steering and power generation are required to cover equipment failures. These have also to be able to withstand fire and or flooding situations.

Safe areas in which to establish main vertical fire zones to limit the extent of the damage and ensure safe areas for the passengers and crew are provided.

New in the concept is the availability of facilities to safeguard the passengers and crew in the case of an accident by ensuring habitable conditions for the time it takes to reach a safe port or until the evacuation is completed – if indeed evacuation is strictly necessary.

Essential safety systems to safeguard the condition of the non-damaged part of the vessel and tools for navigating safely and communicating with the outside world also need to be provided.

Finally a safety centre has to be in place on board. This may be located on the bridge or in its vicinity buts its use must be effective without distracting the watch officers from their navigational duties. The safety centre is an extension of the requirement for the emergency-management decision-support system.