Norwegian Cruise Line agreed to plead guilty to a charge of gross negligence in connection with a 2003 boiler blast that killed eight crewmen on the again cruise ship Norway and seriously injured 10 others.

NCL pleaded guilty to the charge which accused the cruise line of running the cruise ship in a "grossly negligent manner that endangered the lives, limbs and property of the persons on board.''

The cruise line also agreed to use an independent consultant to conduct safety probes of its ships.

''The safety and security of our passengers and crew has been and always will be of the utmost importance,'' Norwegian said in a statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board issues a report last year which determined that deficient boiler operation, maintenance and inspection by NCL were the probable causes of the explosion, which rocked the vessel while it was docked in Miami on May 25, 2003.

After the blast, the Norway -- an aging ship which sailed for many years as the SS France -- was never returned to service, and it was taken to India a year ago to be broken up for scrap.

"We are hopeful that resolution of the recent misdemeanor charge will bring this unfortunate incident to a conclusion," NCL said in a statement. All personal injury claims stemming from the blast had been settled earlier.