Does Anyone From The States Inspect The Ships At The Docks?

[CaptJackSparrow]

I was just wondering if ships are inspected for cleanliness, safety, seaworthiness, especially in the galley where the cooking is done (you know, like are they handling the food safe, is the equipment kept up to par, etc.)?

 

I mean, they have to pass certain standards, don't they?

[madforcruising]

They are inspected by the USPH.

USPH

United Stated Public Health. Sets the standard for public health and quality food control on board vessels entering United States territory.

I don´t know how often they are inspected but I know that every vessel on his first hit in an US port has to go under this inspection. There are other inspection i.e. by coast guard, too. They have to proof safety and the crew has to go through some drills. On some of my Atlantic crossings the ship had to go through this at Boston. It usually happened before the ship was free for debarkation. These procedures can delay debarkation heavily.

The crew was always training alot during the sea days before.

If they fail I´m sure there are lots of punishments.

[Mark_K]

The CDC conducts sanitation inspections of all cruise ships that operate in the US. Here's a link to a site where you can look up the scores received by any ship:

 

http://www2.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/vspmain.asp

[smeyer418]

LOL you are both right the USPHS(Public health Service) conducts the survey for the CDC(center for disease control), actually I think the CDC is part of the USPHS. In any case I believe that the ship's food handling inspection is "voluntary". The CDC can stop a ship if it fails a retest I believe.

[Mark_K]

LOL you are both right the USPHS(Public health Service) conducts the survey for the CDC(center for disease control), actually I think the CDC is part of the USPHS. In any case I believe that the ship's food handling inspection is "voluntary". The CDC can stop a ship if it fails a retest I believe.

I don't think it's voluntary, looks to me like well over half their inspection items relate to food safety.

 

VSP Inspection Report ItemsTotal = 100 points

 

VSP Operations Manual 2000 - implemented November 1, 2000

 

Item No. / Point Value / Description Bold = Critical Item

 

DISEASE REPORTING

• 01 4 Disease reporting
  
• 02 1 Medical logs maintenance
  

POTABLE WATER

• 03 5 Bunker / production source; Halogen residual
  
• 04 5 Distribution system halogen residual
  
• 05 5 Distribution system halogen analyzer calibrated
  
• 06 2 Halogen analyzer chart recorder maintenance, operation, records; Micro sampling, records
  
• 07 3 System protection cross?connections, backflow; Disinfection
  
• 08 1 Filling hoses, caps, connections, procedures; Sample records, valves; System construction, maintenance
  

SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS

• 09 3 Swimming pools / spas halogen residuals
  
• 10 1 Swimming pools / spas maintenance, safety equipment
  

FOOD SAFETY

 

• Personnel
  
  • 11 5 Food handlers infections, communicable diseases
    
  • 12 4 Hands washed; Hygienic practices
    
  • 13 3 Management, knowledge, monitoring
    
  • 14 1 Outer clothing clean; Jewelry, hair, hand sanitizers
    

   

  Food

  • 15 5 Food source, sound condition; Food re-service
    
  • 16 5 Potentially hazardous food temperatures
    
  • 17 2 Temperature practices; Thawing
    
  • 18 3 Cross-contamination
    
  • 19 2 Food protection; Original containers; labeling; In-use food dispensing, preparation utensils
    

   

  Equipment

  • 20 2 PHF temperature maintenance facilities; Food-contact surfaces; Food TMD's
    
  • 21 1 Nonfood-contact surfaces; Ambient TMD's
    
  • 22 2 Warewashing facilities; TMD's; Test kits
    
  • 23 2 Pre-wash; Wash and rinse solutions
    
  • 24 3 Sanitizing rinse
    
  • 25 1 Wiping cloths / chef's towels
    
  • 26 3 Food-contact surfaces equipment / utensils clean; Safe materials
    
  • 27 1 Non-food contact surfaces equipment / utensils clean
    
  • 28 2 Equipment / utensil / linen / single / service storage handling dispensing; Cleaning frequency
    

   

  Toilet and Handwashing Facilities

  • 29 3 Facilities convenient, accessible, design, installation
    
  • 30 1 Hand cleanser, sanitary towels, waste receptacles, handwash signs; Maintenance
    

   

  Toxic Substances

  • 31 5 Toxic items
    

   

  Facilities

  • 32 1 Solid waste containers
    
  • 33 1 Decks / bulkheads / deckheads
    
  • 34 1 Plumbing fixtures / supply lines / drain lines / drains
    
  • 35 2 Liquid waste disposal
    
  • 36 1 Lighting
    
  • 37 1 Rooms / equipment venting
    
  • 38 1 Unnecessary articles, cleaning equipment; Unauthorized personnel
    

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

• 39 3 IPM program effective; Approved pesticide application
  
• 40 1 IPM procedures; Outer openings protection
  
• 41 2 Housekeeping; Child Activity Centers
  

[smeyer418]

Because of several major disease outbreaks on cruise vessels, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) in the early 1970s as a cooperative activity with the cruise ship industry. The program assists the cruise ship industry in fulfilling its responsibility for developing and implementing comprehensive sanitation programs in order to minimize the risk for gastrointestinal diseases

 

I guess because of this I though it was "voluntary", which I did put in quotes. I won't refer to as voluntary again.. :)

[bthorn1108]

The ships are also inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard for safety issues. I know this because my son is a Coastie and has done several "boardings" and we have also been passengers on a ship when they boarded.