Brittany will meet UK regs
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• French-owned Brittany Ferries says it will meet any new safety standards demanded by the British Government, even if they are rejected by the French.
The International Maritime Organisation had hoped to reach an agreement this week (29 November) on measures designed to improve the stability of RO-RO ferries. But the French government is refusing to endorse the new standards: it is concerned that the proposals, which would take effect in 1999, would also be imposed on ferries operating on calmer Mediterranean routes.
If agreement is not reached this week the British Government has threatened to impose the new standards unilaterally and ban French ferries from UK ports unless they meet the requirements.
This could affect nine cross-Channel routes, including six operated by Brittany Ferries which last year carried almost 200,000 CVs. However, Brittany Ferries says it will comply with any new British safety standards, with or without the approval of the French government: "No matter what agreement is signed there will be no question of a ban on our ferries," says a spokesman.
The proposed standards would force operators to fit transverse bulkheads to ferries, making them less likely to capsize—research has shown that RO-RO ferries can overturn quickly once a relatively small amount of water gets on to the vehicle decks.
Other proposals include extra bow door protection, better crew training and improvements in evacuation procedures.