Demands on shipping companies: Practice makes perfect
Provide safety instructions for passengers on video, over loudspeakers or printed; this should be provided in the native language at least and also in English
Encourage passengers to take notice of these safety instructions
Escape routes and safety facilities should be clearly marked
All technical safety facilities should be serviced correctly and regularly
Defects in rescue equipment due to theft by passengers must be regularly eliminated, in other words, replacing whistles and distress lights, for instance, on life jackets and lifebelts
Do not opt for "practical solutions": Do not obstruct emergency exits in order to warrant the separation of first and second class, do not tie up life rafts due to wind, do not deliberately keep fire doors open in order to move along easier, and do not tie up or obstruct lockers and boxes with life jackets in an effort to prevent theft.
Secure load correctly: HGVs, trailers and coaches must always be tightly secured with more than two chain, cars too, depending on the weather forecast, motorbikes should be correctly tied in place with belts.
Crews must regularly practice emergency situations under real conditions
The crew should be trained to be aware of their responsibility for passengers
Ensure that the crew can communicate sufficiently with passengers who speak a different language
The new guidelines for more safety on board and in ports (ISPS code) which is to come into effect on 1 July 2004 should be implemented promptly and reliably
Ships must be brought up to the latest technical safety standards
EuroTests - EuroTest 2004
