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Federal Government inspectors have boarded the Carnival cruise ship Carnival Encounter in Darwin following whistleblower reports alleging unsafe living and working conditions for crew.
According to a statement issued by the Maritime Union of Australia, investigators from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority boarded the vessel at the Port of Darwin to investigate reports of alleged crew skin disease, unsafe drinking water and workers allegedly being forced to continue working while sick.
The MUA said the inspection followed information provided by a crew member who has not been publicly identified due to concerns about retribution. The union said it has been working with the International Transport Workers Federation and AMSA to coordinate what it described as broader interventions across Australia.
The Carnival Encounter is one of three Carnival Cruise Line vessels described by the union as being home ported in Australia and operating almost exclusively in Australian waters. The MUA argues these ships operate under international maritime arrangements that allow foreign crew members to be employed outside Australian workplace laws.
MUA NT Branch Secretary Andy Burford claimed the inspection was “the direct result of crew members coming forward to the Union”, adding that the branch was working closely with International Transport Workers Federation inspectors and AMSA. He said the reported conditions reflected broader systemic issues across the cruise industry.
“This this is exactly what happens when you allow foreign owned and controlled companies to sail the Australian coast, using Australian ports, carrying Australian passengers paying Australian fares, but who are completely immune from Australian law,” Mr Burford said.
According to the union, matters under investigation include cramped living conditions allegedly leading to a high incidence of skin infections, poor quality and potentially harmful drinking water and crew being required to work while suffering from serious illnesses, including gastro.
Assistant National Secretary Jamie Newlyn said the intervention highlighted the importance of whistleblower protections and regulatory oversight.
“We welcome AMSA acting on this information,” Mr Newlyn said. “However, inspections alone will not address the underlying power imbalance onboard these vessels.”
The union said the issues raised point to broader, systemic problems across the cruise industry, arguing that workers from some of the world’s poorest nations form the backbone of cruise ship operations while being housed in overcrowded conditions below decks and required to work even while unwell.
Carnival Cruise Line has rejected the union’s characterisation of conditions onboard its ships and maintains it complies with applicable international regulations. The company has stated it will cooperate fully with AMSA inspections, which it says are part of routine port state control processes conducted across the global cruise industry.
AMSA has not yet released the findings of its inspection. Any regulatory action or further response remains pending.
