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Inspection Detail Report

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Cruise Ship: Explorer of the Seas Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Inspection Date: 11/18/2000 Inspection Score: 91
This cruise ship inspection report lists deficiencies found during the inspection. Additional information corresponding to each item number is available in the latest edition of the VSP Environmental Public Health Standards.

View/Print Summary Report  |  View/Print Corrective Action Statement
Item No.: *
Site: Other-PROVISIONS AND BARS
Violation: THE OPERATIONS IN THE BARS AND IN PROVISIONS WERE VERY GOOD.
Recommendation:
Item No.: *
Site: Other-FOOD SERVICE-GENERAL
Violation: CONSIDER USING TIME AS A CONTROL IN THOSE FOOD SERVICE AREAS WHERE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS CAN NOT BE KEPT OUT OF THE FOOD TEMPERATURE DANGER ZONE. WHEN USING TIME AS A CONTROL BE SURE TO ABIDE BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE OPERATIONS MANUAL.
Recommendation:
Item No.: 01
Site: Other-MEDICAL
Violation: THE SHIP FAILED TO MAKE THE 24-HOUR PRIOR TO ARRIVAL NOTIFICATION TO THE VESSEL SANITATION PROGRAM OFFICE FOR THE PORT CALL IN SAN JUAN.
Recommendation: The master, the medical staff, or other designated staff of a vessel destined for a U.S. port from a foreign port shall submit at least one standardized gastrointestinal illness report based on the number of reportable cases in the gastrointestinal illness log to the VSP no less than 24 hours, but not more than 30 hours before the vessel's expected arrival at the U.S. port.
Item No.: 02
Site: Other-MEDICAL
Violation: A SEPARATE INVENTORY OF THE DAILY TOTAL, BY QUANTITY AND TYPE, OF ANTIDIARRHEAL MEDICATIONS SOLD OR DISPENSED TO THE PASSENGERS OR CREW MEMBERS WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Recommendation: A separate inventory of the daily total, by quantity and type, of antidiarrheal medications sold or dispensed to the passengers or crew members in all areas of the vessel shall be maintained alongside the gastrointestinal illness surveillance log.
Item No.: 02
Site: Other-MEDICAL
Violation: THE MEDICAL OFFICE DEFINED CASES OF GASTROINTESTINAL ILLNESS AS 3 OR MORE LOOSE STOOLS AND DID NOT INCLUDE THE EXPANDED CASE DEFINITION AS DEFINED IN THE OPERATIONS MANUAL.
Recommendation: A reportable case of gastrointestinal illness shall be defined as: (1) Diarrhea (three or more episodes of loose stools in a 24 hour period); or (2) Vomiting and one additional symptom including one or more episodes of loose stools in a 24-hour period, or abdominal cramps, or headache, or muscle aches, or fever; and (3) Reported to the master of the vessel, the medical staff, or other designated staff by a passenger or a crew member.
Item No.: 02
Site: Other-MEDICAL
Violation: QUESTIONNAIRES DETAILING THE ACTIVITIES AND MEAL LOCATIONS FOR ILL INDIVIDUALS 72 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF ILLNESS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
Recommendation: Questionnaires detailing activities and meal locations for the 72 hours before illness onset shall be distributed to all passengers and crew members who are gastrointestinal illness cases. The self-administered questionnaires shall contain all of the data elements that appear in the questionnaire found in Annex 13.2. The completed questionnaires shall be maintained alongside the gastrointestinal illness surveillance log.
Item No.: 06
Site: Other-POTABLE WATER
Violation: THE CHARTS FOR THE ANALYZER/RECORDER WERE NOT IN THE 0-5 PPM RANGE.
Recommendation: Provide and use charts that have a range of 0-5 ppm.
Item No.: 06
Site: Other-POTABLE WATER
Violation: A REVIEW OF THE BUNKER CHLORINE ANALYZER CALIBRATION LOG NOTED THAT THE ANALYZER WAS NOT BEING CALIBRATED AT THE START OF BUNKERING.
Recommendation: Calibrate this unit at the beginning of bunkering water and record this in a log or on the charts.
Item No.: 07
Site: Other-CREW GALLEY
Violation: AN N9 BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICE WAS LEAKING.
Recommendation: Replace this device.
Item No.: 08
Site: Other-POTABLE WATER
Violation: THE RECORDS OF THE TESTS PERFORMED ON ALL REDUCED PRESSURE PRINCIPLE BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES WERE INCOMPLETE.
Recommendation: Maintain a record of the pressure tests for these devices.
Item No.: 08
Site: Other-POTABLE WATER
Violation: A WRITTEN RECORD WAS NOT MAINTAINED OF THE CHLORINE RESIDUAL TESTS CONDUCTED DURING PRODUCTION OF WATER.
Recommendation: During production of water to be used as potable water ensure that the free chlorine residual is at least 2.0 ppm and test for this residual every four hours during production. Accurate records of this monitoring shall be maintained aboard for 12 months and shall be available to the VSP for review during inspections.
Item No.: 08
Site: Other-POTABLE WATER
Violation: THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE POTABLE WATER TANKS WERE CLEANED OR DISINFECTED AS REQUIRED.
Recommendation: Maintain a record of the cleaning and disinfection of the potable water tanks.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-POOLS
Violation: A FECAL ACCIDENT PROCEDURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
Recommendation: A fecal accident response procedure shall be documented and available for review during inspections.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-POOLS
Violation: DEPTH MARKERS WERE NOT PROVIDED AT POOLS 2, 3, OR 4 NOTING THE CHANGES IN DEPTH.
Recommendation: Depth markers shall be installed for every 1 m (3 feet) in change of depth and shall be displayed prominently so they can be seen from the deck and from in the pool.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-POOLS
Violation: THE SHEPHERD'S HOOKS AND APPROVED FLOATATION DEVICES FOR POOLS 2, 3, AND 4 WERE NOT PLACED IN A PROMINENT AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATION AT EACH POOL.
Recommendation: Easy access shepherd's hook and approved floatation device shall be provided at a prominent location near each public swimming pool.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-POOLS
Violation: ANTI-VORTEX DRAIN COVERS WERE NOT PROVIDED FOR POOLS 1-4. INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE DUAL DRAINS. AN ANTI-VORTEX DRAIN COVER WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE CHILDREN'S POOL.
Recommendation: Anti-vortex drain covers shall be provided on swimming pools and whirlpool spas.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-SPAS
Violation: A FECAL ACCIDENT PROCEDURE WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
Recommendation: A fecal accident response procedure shall be documented and available to the VSP for review during inspections.
Item No.: 10
Site: Other-SPAS
Violation: THE FREE BROMINE RESIDUALS FOR THE SPAS WERE NOT TAKEN AND RECORDED HOURLY DURING OPERATION.
Recommendation: Residual halogen logs shall be maintained with residuals measured and recorded hourly during operation.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-COLD PANTRY
Violation: CHEESE WAS TESTED AT 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE CENTRAL REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR. AS PER THE DECK ENGINEER THIS UNIT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT AIR CIRCULATION.
Recommendation: Repair this unit so that proper refrigeration temperatures are maintained.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-DECK 4-BAKERY
Violation: THE VEGETABLE TOPPED FOCCACIO WAS TESTED AT 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE FOOD STORAGE TROLLEY.
Recommendation: Cooked vegetables are classified as potentially hazardous foods and as such must be store out of the temperature danger zone. Store these foods at or below 41 degrees fahrenheit, or at or above 140 degrees fahrenheit.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-PROMENADE-COFFEE STATION
Violation: THE MILK IN THE DISPENSER WAS TESTED AT 52 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Recommendation: Maintain potentially hazardous cold foods at or below 41 degrees fahrenheit.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-PROMENADE COFFEE STATION
Violation: HAM AND CHEESE CROISSANTS WERE TESTED AT 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE DISPLAY REFRIGERATOR.
Recommendation: Maintain potentially hazardous foods at or below 41 degrees fahrenheit during display.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-PROMENADE COFFEE STATION
Violation: THE HAM IN THE FRESHLY ASSEMBLED SANDWICHES WAS TESTED AT 66 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT WHILE THE HAM IN THE REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR WAS TESTED AT 39 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Recommendation: Maintain potentially hazardous cold foods at or below 41 degrees fahrenheit.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-PROMENADE COFFEE STATION
Violation: THE TUNA SALAD CROISSANTS WERE TESTED AT 48 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR.
Recommendation: Maintain potentially hazardous cold foods at or below 41 degrees fahrenheit.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-FOOD SERVICE-GENERAL
Violation: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS READY-TO-EAT FOODS HELD REFRIGERATED FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS WERE NOT DATE MARKED AS REQUIRED.
Recommendation: Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food: (1) Prepared on a vessel and held refrigerated for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked at the time of preparation to indicate the date by which the food shall be consumed, which is, including the day of preparation, 7 calendar days or fewer from the day the food is prepared. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food: Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food: (2) A container of refrigerated, ready-to-eat potentially hazardous food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened, to indicate the date by which the food shall be consumed which is, including the day the original container is opened, 7 calendar days or fewer after the original container is opened.
Item No.: 16
Site: Other-FOOD SERVICE-GENERAL
Violation: A CONSUMER ADVISORY WAS NOT IN PLACE FOR UNDERCOOKED OR RAW FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN. UNDERCOOKED EGGS WERE SERVED ON THE VESSEL.
Recommendation: If an animal food such as beef, eggs, fish, lamb, milk, pork, poultry, or shellfish that is raw, undercooked, or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens is offered in a ready-to-eat form or as a raw ingredient in another ready-to-eat food, the passengers shall be informed by vessel newsletter articles, brochures, embarkation television broadcasts, menu advisories, placards, or other written means of the significantly increased risk to certain especially vulnerable consumers eating such foods in raw or undercooked form.
Item No.: 19
Site: Other-PROMENADE COFFEE STATION
Violation: THE PIE/CAKE SERVING UTENSILS WERE STORED IN STANDING WATER.
Recommendation: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (1) In the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (2) In food that is not potentially hazardous with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (3) On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food-contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are frequently cleaned and sanitized. (4) In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: (5) In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not potentially hazardous. (6) In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 60C (140F) and the container is frequently cleaned and sanitized. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored: During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored:
Item No.: 19
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: OPEN TROLLEYS OF ROLLS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION.
Recommendation: Provide adequate protection for foods placed in open trolleys by using food wrap to cover the foods.
Item No.: 20
Site: Other-DECK 5-GALLEY
Violation: A WORKING THERMOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE MILK COOLER.
Recommendation: Provide a thermometer for the milk cooler.
Item No.: 20
Site: Other-VIKING CROWN-PANTRY
Violation: A THERMOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE WMF COFFEE MACHINE'S MILK REFRIGERATION COMPARTMENT.
Recommendation: Provide a thermometer for this compartment.
Item No.: 20
Site: Other-FOOD SERVICE-GENERAL
Violation: REFRIGERATION UNIT THERMOMETERS WERE NOT PLACED IN THE WARMEST PART OF THE REFRIGERATORS.
Recommendation: Place thermometers in the warmest part of the refrigerators.
Item No.: 20
Site: Other-ICE MACHINE
Violation: WHITE POROUS GASKET MATERIAL WAS NOTED IN THE ICE CRUSHER UPPER COMPARTMENT.
Recommendation: Replace the gaskets with ones that are constructed of a non-porous material.
Item No.: 20
Site: Other-STUDIO B-PORT SIDE
Violation: TAPE AND LOOSE SEALANT WERE NOTED IN THE UPPER ICE/WATER COMPARTMENT OF THE ICE MACHINE.
Recommendation: Remove the ice and loose sealant from this compartment.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-ICE MACHINES
Violation: POROUS GASKET MATERIAL WAS NOTED ON THE UPPER PANELS OF THE ICE MACHINES.
Recommendation: Replace the gaskets with ones that are constructed of a non-porous material.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-ICE MACHINES-MULTI-FLOW
Violation: A BLACK, POROUS INSULATION MATERIAL WAS NOTED ON THE NON-FOOD CONTACT SIDE OF THE UPPER ICE/WATER COMPARTMENT PLASTIC COVER.
Recommendation: Replace the insulation with materials that are non-porous.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-TOURNANT STATION
Violation: THE TECHNICAL PANEL FOR THE REFRIGERATION UNIT WAS MISSING.
Recommendation: Replace the panel.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: THE BOTTOM GASKET ON THE RIGHT OVEN WAS LOOSE.
Recommendation: Reattach the gasket to the oven door.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: THE GASKET ON THE FAR RIGHT PORT SIDE PROOFER WAS DAMAGED.
Recommendation: Replace the gasket on the proofer.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-BARS-GENERAL
Violation: A SEAM WAS NOTED ALONG THE BOTTOM PERIMETER OF THE COUNTERS WHERE THE ICE/WATER DISPENSERS WERE JOINED TO THE COUNTERS.
Recommendation: Equipment that is fixed because it is not easily movable shall be installed so that it is: (1) Spaced to allow access for cleaning along the sides, behind, under and above the equipment; (2) Spaced from adjoining equipment, bulkhead, and deckhead at a distance of not more than 1 millimeter or 1/32 inch; or (3) Sealed to adjoining equipment or bulkhead, if the equipment is exposed to spillage or seepage.
Item No.: 21
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: THERE WERE OPEN BOLT HOLES AT THE BOTTOM BASE PORTION OF THE LARGE DOUGH MIXER.
Recommendation: Seal the open holes.
Item No.: 22
Site: Other-DECK 4-DISHWASH
Violation: THE FINAL RINSE ARM CLOSEST TO THE RINSE COMPARTMENT WAS NOT SPRAYING. THIS WAS CORRECTED AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
Recommendation:
Item No.: 22
Site: Other-POT WASH AREAS-GENERAL
Violation: CONDENSATE HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE MOUNTED THERMOMETERS MAKING THEM DIFFICULT TO READ.
Recommendation: Mount the thermometers on the bulkhead above the sinks.
Item No.: 22
Site: Other-DISHWASHER-MAIN
Violation: EXCESSIVE SUDS WERE NOTED IN THE DISHWASHER TO INCLUDE THE FINAL RINSE COMPARTMENT. THIS WAS CORRECTED DURING THE INSPECTION.
Recommendation:
Item No.: 26
Site: Other-DECK 5-POT WASH
Violation: SEVERAL PREVIOUSLY CLEANED SHEET PANS WERE SOILED WITH FOOD RESIDUE.
Recommendation: Food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch.
Item No.: 27
Site: Other-WINDJAMMER
Violation: THE DRIP TRAY IN ONE SOFT SERVE MACHINE WAS SOILED WITH MIX RESIDUE.
Recommendation: Clean the drip tray daily.
Item No.: 27
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: SLIGHT MOLD GROWTH WAS NOTED ON THE REFRIGERATOR GASKETS.
Recommendation: Clean the gaskets frequently to prevent the growth of mold.
Item No.: 28
Site: Other-HOT GALLEY
Violation: A CLEAN PLATE TROLLEY WAS STATIONED UNDERNEATH THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER ACROSS FROM THE POT WASH SOILED DROP OFF.
Recommendation: Do not store the trolley in this area.
Item No.: 28
Site: Other-ROAST STATION
Violation: THERE WAS DUST ON THE SHELVES OF THE KNIFE LOCKER.
Recommendation: Clean these shelves frequently to prevent dust accumulation.
Item No.: 28
Site: Other-DECK 4-DISHWASH
Violation: A COUPLE OF THE CLEAN DISH TROLLEYS WERE SOILED.
Recommendation: Clean the dish trolleys.
Item No.: 33
Site: Other-ELEVATORS
Violation: THE ELEVATOR DOOR TRACKS WERE SOILED WITH FOOD DEBRIS.
Recommendation: Clean the elevator door tracks frequently.
Item No.: 33
Site: Other-ELEVATORS
Violation: THE ELEVATOR BULKHEAD MOUNTED TROLLEY GUARDS WERE SOILED.
Recommendation: Clean the trolley guards frequently.
Item No.: 33
Site: Other-PASTRY
Violation: THE DISHWASHER HOSES WERE DRAPED ON THE DECK MAKING THIS AREA DIFFICULT TO CLEAN.
Recommendation: Reposition the hoses so that they do not drape across the deck.
Item No.: 33
Site: Other-WAIT STATION-FORWARD PORT
Violation: THE CLOSET BULKHEADS AND DECKHEAD WERE NOT FINISHED TO PROVIDE A SMOOTH, DURABLE, AND EASY TO CLEAN SURFACE.
Recommendation: If this closet is to be used for chemical storage it should be finished as required to provide durable, smooth, and easy to clean surfaces on the bulkhead and deckhead.
Item No.: 36
Site: Other-VIKING CROWN-PANTRY
Violation: THE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT LEVEL ALONG THE CLEAN GLASS STORAGE RACKS WAS LESS THAN 220 LUX.
Recommendation: Increase the light level in this area to 220 lux.
Item No.: 36
Site: Other-PROVISIONS-BUTCHER SHOP
Violation: THE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT LEVEL AT THE MEAT GRINDER WAS BELOW 220 LUX.
Recommendation: Provide additional lighting to increase the illumination level to 220 lux.
Item No.: 38
Site: Other-PROVISIONS-BUTCHER SHOP
Violation: WET MOPS, AND BROOMS WERE STORED DIRECTLY ABOVE VARIOUS CLEANING SUPPLIES TO DRY.
Recommendation: Maintenance tools such as mops, brooms, and similar items shall be stored in an orderly manner that facilitates cleaning of the area used for storing the maintenance tools.
Item No.: 38
Site: Other-BAKERY
Violation: A SQUEEGEE HANDLE WAS STORED ON THE DECK.
Recommendation: Store the squeegee handle in a cleaning materials locker.
Item No.: 38
Site: Other-WAIT STATION-FORWARD PORT
Violation: CHEMICALS WERE STORED IN AN UNLABELED CLOSET.
Recommendation: Provide a sign for this storage unit.
Item No.: 38
Site: Other-DECK 4-POTWASH
Violation: THE THREE BUCKET SYSTEM WAS SET-UP DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH SOILED EQUIPMENT AT THE SOILED DROP OFF.
Recommendation: Station the three bucket system in another location.
Item No.: 38
Site: Other-DECK 3-CORRIDOR
Violation: THE MOP WAS STORED IN THE BUCKET AND NOT HUNG TO DRY.
Recommendation: After use hang mops so that they can dry between uses.
Item No.: 40
Site: Other-INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Violation: AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
Recommendation: Each vessel shall develop an Integrated Pest Management Plan to address effective monitoring and control strategies for pests aboard the vessel.
Item No.: 41
Site: Other-CHILD-ACTIVITY CENTER
Violation: WRITTEN GUIDANCE ON THE SYMPTOMS OF COMMON CHILDHOOD INFECTIOUS ILLNESSES WAS NOT MAINTAINED IN THE CHILD-ACTIVITY CENTER.
Recommendation: Written guidance on symptoms of common childhood infectious illnesses shall be maintained in the child-activity center.
Item No.: 41
Site: Other-CHILD-ACTIVITY CENTER
Violation: A WRITTEN POLICY ON PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN A CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS OF AN INFECTIOUS ILLNESS WHILE AT THE CENTER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Recommendation: The child-activity center shall have a written policy on procedures to be followed when a child develops symptoms of an infectious illness while at the center.
Item No.: 41
Site: Other-AIR SYSTEMS
Violation: A PLAN WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS.
Recommendation: Vessels shall have a plan to inspect and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in accordance with manufactures recommendations and industry standards.
*Inspections scores of 85 or lower are NOT satisfactory
Vessel Sanitation Program