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Inspections

Periodic Operational Sanitation Inspections

Why does the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) conduct operational sanitation inspections?

VSP inspectors conduct operational sanitation inspections to determine how well ships are operating and maintaining sanitation standards in accordance with the current VSP Operations Manual [PDF – 2.9 MB].

Inspectors provide public health guidance to cruise ship staff when standards are out of compliance. At the end of inspections, inspectors write a report describing inspection findings and recommendations.

Inspections are unannounced, and they are done while a ship is in a U.S. port.

What do VSP inspectors look at during a periodic sanitation inspection?

Depending on the size of the ship, one to four inspectors examine the ship to see if it complies with the public health standards found in the current VSP Operations Manual [PDF – 2.9 MB].



VSP inspects eight major areas on ships:

Major Areas VSP Inspects on a Ship Inspectors Look At
Medical facilities Documentation for gastrointestinal illness surveillance
Medical logs
Potable water systems Procedures from water source to storage until use
Water distribution
Protection and any cross-connections
Disinfection process
 
Swimming pools and whirlpool spas Filtration
Disinfection
General maintenance
Safety
Galleys and dining rooms Food protection during sourcing, provisioning, storage, preparation, and service
Employee health and personal hygiene
Facility equipment maintenance and dishwashing
Child activity centers Properly equipped diaper changing stations, toilets, and handwashing stations
Facility disinfection
Infection control for ill children
Hotel accommodations Routine cleaning sequences and infection control procedures during outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, including the use of appropriate disinfectants and outbreak policies
Ventilation systems System maintenance
System cleaning
Common areas of the ship Integrated pest management strategies
General cleanliness
Maintenance

At the end of each inspection, VSP inspectors meet with ship management to discuss inspection violations and give them a draft inspection report. Within 2 weeks of the inspection, VSP sends a final copy of the inspection report to the ship’s cruise line.

How often are ships inspected?

Cruise ships under VSP’s jurisdiction are subject to two inspections each year. If a ship sails outside of the United States for an extended period of time, it may not be inspected twice a year, but it will be inspected again when it returns to the United States.

Do ships know when the inspection will occur?

No. The twice-yearly inspections are unannounced.

How are cruise ships scored?

Cruise ships are scored on a 100-point scale. Inspection criteria are defined in the current VSP Operations Manual [PDF – 2.9 MB]. Criteria are assigned a point value; when there’s a violation, inspection points are deducted from the score.

Points are deducted from that score based on public health significance. An 85 or below is a failing score. All scores are posted on the VSP website.

Are ships required to correct violations found during inspections?

Yes. Although ships are responsible for correcting all violations, some critical violations must be corrected immediately. Each ship must submit a Corrective Action Statement describing how the violations were corrected.

Some violations can be corrected during the inspection; others may take longer to correct.

What happens if a ship fails an inspection?

Ships that fail inspections are reinspected within a reasonable time period.

When would VSP recommend that a ship not sail?

VSP may recommend that the ship not sail if there are imminent public health risks including the following:

  • Inability to properly chlorinate potable (drinking) water.
  • Inability to keep food within safe temperatures.
  • Inadequate facilities for cleaning and sanitizing equipment.
  • Inability to properly dispose of solid or liquid waste.

VSP may also recommend a ship not sail during an infectious disease outbreak where continuing normal operations may subject newly arriving passengers to disease.

Where can I find inspection scores and reports?

Inspection reports and scores as well as corrective action statements are available on the VSP website.

How much do inspections cost?

Cruise ship owners pay a fee based on the ship’s size for operational inspections and reinspections.

Fees

Schedule, October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018

Fee Schedule for Each Vessel Size

Vessel Size (GRT1) Inspection Fee
Extra Small (<3,000 GRT) US$1,495
Small (3,001-15,000 GRT) US$2,990
Medium (15,001-30,000 GRT) US$5,980
Large (30,001-60,000 GRT) US$8,970
Extra Large (60,001-120,000 GRT) US$11,960
Mega (>120,001 GRT) US$17,940



1Gross register tonnage in cubic feet, as shown in Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.

 

The fee schedule is also posted in the Federal Register.

Consultation for Construction and Renovation

What’s involved in the construction and renovation process?

At the cruise industry’s request, VSP provides consultation during  cruise ship construction and renovation. We analyze the ship’s design during plan reviews to eliminate environmental health risks and to incorporate modifications that create healthy environments.

VSP involvement may include

  • review of construction/renovation plans and
  • technical support through emails and phone calls.

Construction plan reviews are based on the current VSP Construction Guidelines [PDF – 2.9 MB]. VSP generally focuses on the following  areas during these reviews:

General Areas What VSP Looks At
Equipment and facilities Standards, parts, and placements and hygiene requirements
Food areas Buffet lines, galleys, provision rooms, refrigerators, bar areas, and dining rooms
Warewashing and waste management Proper setup and handling
Swimming pools and spas Drains, pumps, filters, safety, and disinfection
Water systems Bunkering, storage, distribution, disinfection, and cross-connections/backflow prevention

How much do construction/renovation plan reviews cost?

VSP does not charge a fee for plan reviews or consultations related to renovations or new cruise ships.

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