Saftey on Ferries

Ferrylines.com lists all ferries, independent of their security status. However, we would like to declare the following: Over the last years, significant investments in new ferries have been made: fast ferries, luxury ferries and combined ferries. The times where old, badly maintained ferries operated belong in Europe mostly to the past.

AA Motoring Trust: Ferry-Safety Improving 2004

Ferry Accident in the Red Sea: How safe are ferries?

The tragic sinking of the Egyptian ferry on 3rd Feb 2006 had two reasons: its low stability and the malpractice of the crew. The „Al Salam Boccaccio 98“ was an old ship, which often change its owners within the last years. Especially for its use in the Red Sea two extra decks were added to double passenger capacity. Therefore the ferry’s stability had been reduced, David Osler of Lloyd‘s List said.

Another weak point are the car decks. Since 2002 the European ferries have had to be capable of surviving half a metre of water on the car deck. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules covering the Egyptian ferry do not require ferries to withstand even a small flood. European rules specify that a ferry must remain afloat even when two watertight compartments have been flooded. The IMO minimum is one flooded compartment.

Many old ferries were sold into countries with lower safety standards, when their refitting was not economical. Therefore it can be said that ferries in Europe and America are much safer. Here travelling by ferry is safer than going by car or even some planes.

Ferrylines.com regret the tragedy and offer our condolences to survivors.