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Docked Cruise Liner

The business of cruise ships has a billion dollar a year market. So when a cruise ship is docked you better believe that future travelers are watching and wondering why. The most recent cruise ship dock may bruise the business quite a bit assuming the proper precautions are not taken. The British Maritime and Coastguard Agency on Wednesday announced its decision to impound a Spanish cruise ship over its poor safety conditions.

Vistamar, the luxury liner was detained after inspectors discovered multiple safety deficiencies including non functioning lifeboats. "This is a very poor example of a passenger ship that has entered British waters. She will not be allowed to travel further." A British spokesperson said. The detained ship had 178 people on board. Most of the passengers were German tourists.

The passengers were asked to stay the night before leaving the 117 meter vessel on Thursday. The Spanish owners of the cruise liner have received the news of its detention. "Our concerns were raised when items such as fire dampers were clearly inoperative, both lifeboats were damaged, escape signs were missing and various means of escape were not marked clearly," said a British coast guard.