What HAVEP is running in 2013 in the Paris MoU region, and what are its main purposes?

A HAVEP on operational controls on passenger ships lasting for 12 months is running from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013. During this period about 500 passenger ships will be inspected, mainly to verify that: (1) in the event of a shipboard emergency the crew can organise themselves into an effective team to tackle the emergency; (2) the officers and crew can communicate effectively with each other and with shore based support and rescue services; (3) the master is in control and information is flowing to/from the command center; and (4) in the event of the situation getting out of hand the crew and passengers can safely abandon the ship.