P&O Cruises’ Ship Fails Sanitation Inspection

One of UK-based P&O Cruises’ ships failed to pass its Vessel Sanitation Program inspection, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, as it scored an 82 out of 100, according to maritime law firm Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman.

Namely, the company’s 2000-built Oceana failed to make the 86 or higher score required to pass the inspection.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which conducts unannounced inspections twice a year of cruise ships planning to visit U.S. ports, discovered 48 violations aboard the 77,499 gross ton Oceana.

Among the violations, CDC found issues with chlorine levels in the ship’s swimming pool, fruit flies in the food prep areas, and possible hazardous cheese, and the inspectors shut down the vessel’s pool and spa.

The CDC also discovered dirty conditions in one soup kitchen, and the inspectors found out that a person handling food suffered from gastrointestinal symptoms and didn’t report her condition until two hours had passed, while two other employees were sick, the law firm said.

MV Oceana was granted approval to continue sailing, however, the vessel’s owner was informed that the issues have to be fixed in a period of 30 to 45 days.

The cruise ship will undergo another inspection if it plans to dock again in the U.S., and the cruise line will submit a report to show it has corrected the problems that were found.