Ro Ro Passenger Ferries, a Safe Way to Cross the Sea
More than 75% of the Ro Ro Passenger Ferries tested in the EuroTest 2004 Ferry Test scored above average
The EuroTest 2004 Ferry Test, organized within the framework of the EuroTest programme reveals important details concerning the quality and safety of the services provided by the ferry companies across Europe.
This year’s winner with a rating of "very good" is the Italian ferry Excelsior from the Grandi Navi Veloci shipping company which sails between Palermo and Genoa. The Sorolla (operating between Barcelona and Mallorca, Spain) and the Superfast VI (operating between Patras, Greece und Ancona, Italy) were close runners up. Among the worst rate ferries were the Flaminia, which runs from Olbia on the island of Sardinia to Civitavecchia, Italy and only slightly better, the Rodanthi which operates between Piraeus, Greece and the island of Paros.
The most striking deficiencies identified within the various test categories concerned the provision of "safety information" and the availability of "life-saving equipment", at the other end of the spectrum, was the "radio and navigation equipment" where nearly all ferries scored top marks.
Furthermore this year’s testing methodology was updated to include the latest security standards due to come into force on 1st July 2004. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) will create an international maritime shipping anti-terrorism network intended to strengthen co-operation between governments, authorities and shipping companies.
The introduction of this code will bring tighter security on board ships and in ports with the introduction of airport-like security checks for passengers who will have to pass metal detectors and there will also be checks for vehicles. One side-effect of the increased security will be longer waiting times for boarding ferries.
The EuroTest 2004 Ferry Test examined 34 ferries operating in European waters from the North Sea to the Eastern Mediterranean. The ferry routes were selected because of their importance for tourism; all have high numbers of passengers. The ferries were tested by internationally recognised, independent nautical experts. They boarded the ships initially as tourists and examined the conditions on the ship on the basis of a checklist. The methodology of the test was developed during the first ferry test in 1997 together with nautical experts and the European Commission.
"The improvements noted in this year’s test are much welcomed." said Caroline Ofoegbu, EU Affairs Director at AIT & FIA, Brussels, "Persistent annual inspections since 1996 has paid off: 30 per cent of all ferries were willing to give a demonstration emergency drill for the inspectors and levels of co-operation from the ferry crews and shipping companies with the inspectors were excellent – not the case a few years ago. Safety has markedly improved in all European waters, which is good news for mobile consumers."
ENDS
For more information on the Ferry Test of the EuroTest programme please contact Sinziana Radu at s.radu@fiabrussels.com or at tel: +32 2 282 0816.
Note: EuroTest 2004 is a pan European consumer testing programme which has put consumer mobility in Europe to the test since 2000. Under the auspices of the AIT & FIA it organized by motoring Clubs from 15 European Countries who have decided to work together on European Level in order to defend the rights of the motorists. So far the EuroTest programme has proven to be a success.
EuroTests - EuroTest 2004
