Cruise ships in Tilbury and Bristol inspected after crew welfare concerns raised

Surveyors acting for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have detained the Astoria cruise ship, which is currently at Tilbury Docks. 
The detention is a preventative measure in line with UK Regulations, in order that a full inspection of the ship related to the Maritime Labour Convention can be carried out before its intended departure. It cannot leave the port until the inspection is completed. 
Five other ships in the same company - Global Cruise Lines Ltd - four others based at Tilbury and one at Bristol, are also being inspected.  
Acting as the Port State Control Authority for the UK, the MCA has taken this action following a number of serious concerns which were raised about the welfare of the crew.  
Katy Ware, Director of Maritime Safety and Standards and the UK's permanent 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.


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