MSC Cruises and marine conservation charity ORCA are partnering to provide deck officer training in order to reduce the chance of a ship colliding with whales, dolphins, and porpoises in oceans.
Officers aboard MSC Bellissima are the first to be trained. The ship, which is currently sailing in the Mediterranean, was chosen as the pilot ship based on her navigation through the Pelagos Sanctuary. The Pelagos Sanctuary is home to numerous marine species.
Captain Minas Myrtidis, vice president of Environmental Operations & Compliance at MSC Cruises, said, “By working together with ORCA we are able to play an important role in protecting the seas for future generations. We are committed to support the health of our oceans and partnering with experts to introduce bespoke training and education is a further positive step forward.”
The program is intended to educate the bridge officers on the marine mammals they are likely to encounter and how best to avoid ship strikes.
Upon completion aboard the MSC Bellissima, the e-learning course will be available across the MSC Cruises’ fleet including being added to the newbuild, MSC Euribia.
Like more recent MSC ships, MSC Bellissima will be fitted with propeller blades which balance the pressure environment by adding air bubbles around the propellers. This along with other measures to reduce noise and vibration from equipment will aid in minimizing a negative impact on the marine environment, especially the sea mammals.