FORT LAUDERDALE, December 2, 2008 — The Cruise Lines International Association released the following statement in connection to the situation involving the OCEANIA’S NAUTICA in the Gulf of Aden on November 30, 2008:
“While piracy involving cruise ships at sea is extraordinarily rare, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members take this issue very seriously and are in close consultation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and others to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. Fortunately, in the recent incident involving OCEANIA’S NAUTICA due to crew alertness and security protocols executed by its trained and professional crew, the Oceania Nautica kept the incident involving two small boats from escalating into a more serious situation. As Oceania Cruises has stated, no one was hurt and the ship has maintained its voyage.
CLIA members that have ships scheduled to traverse the Gulf of Aden operate within the prescribed Maritime Safety Protection Area, which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces. They also follow international guidelines concerning regular contact with military forces patrolling the Gulf, speed, maneuvering, and enhanced lookouts. All CLIA members have thorough security protocols in place including anti-piracy measures that help to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew while they enjoy a cruise vacation.
Additionally, CLIA members maintain an extensive network of intelligence gathering among government and private sources. Based upon this monitoring, our industry is constantly assessing this information and any potential risks for member lines.
Working closely with the IMO and others, CLIA members will continue to evaluate measures that would be appropriate in regards to the Gulf of Aden. Piracy is an issue of global security that ultimately requires a coordinated approach not only of the IMO and the cruise line industry, but other international bodies, states, and industries to address through enhanced coordination and effective actions.”
About CLIA
The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 24 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visitwww.cruising.org.
