Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 2 6 that it’s always blocked, they’ll realise that they need to clean it more often. Similarly, if we come onboard for an annual audit and notice some problems, we might come back in three months to prevent these issues from escalating. During this period of heightened awareness, we need to get to the point where all of the new health safety routines become second nature so that they are more easily maintained when the immediate threat has been resolved.” SHIELD is not a mandatory certification; it’s simply intended to make sure that the protocols, people and equipment that a shipping company has in place are working efficiently and to a high standard. “Clients that sign up to SHIELD have the assurances they need that their protocols are being thoroughly implemented onboard and are effective,” says Bollerman. “SHIELD also provides peace of mind for the crew and passengers that the ship is a safe environment for everyone. We’ve also released SHIELD+ for clients who want a much deeper audit of their protocols and we’re delighted that Saga Cruises chose this option. Like many of the operators, the brand really wants to make sure it is doing everything it can to protect passengers and crew.” There are multiple business benefits for vigilant operators. Just as passengers are starting to choose cruise brands based on their environmental performance, they will also tend towards a ship that has a notably high health safety rating. “We can’t take any shortcuts on getting the right equipment, materials and procedures in place and making sure crew are properly trained and sufficiently motivated,” says Bollerman. At some point in the future, there will be time for considered reflection on the passenger shipping sector’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. “When that happens, hopefully the cruise industry will be applauded for its proactive and innovative response to the pandemic,” says Bollerman. “In hindsight, we should have responded much more aggressively 12 months ago, so the lesson for the wider world is that we must act quickly and collectively when crises arise in the future, while remaining vigilant in the present.” CFR INTERV IEW