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Sen. Kerry, Rep. Matsui Introduce Cruise Safety Bill
Published on: March 13, 2009
Rep. Doris Matsui, a Democrat from California, and Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat from Massachusetts, on March 12 introduced the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009. “We have now held two House hearings and one Senate hearing on crimes aboard cruise ships, and this legislation will ensure that those who have bravely stepped forward to tell their story will not have done so in vain,” Matsui said. “For far too long, American families have unknowingly been at risk when they have embarked on what should have been relaxing sea voyages.”
Matsui said one of her constituents, Laurie Dishman, wrote to her for help in April 2006. Dishman said she was the victim of a sexual assault while on a cruise, and that the ship or cruise line provided no assistance in properly securing evidence, identifying the attacker who was an employee of the cruise ship, or prosecuting the crime once back on shore. Matsui called for multiple hearings that brought key executives in the cruise industry to testify before Congress. Kerry took up the cause in the Senate, holding a hearing as well. “The term ‘duty-free’ does not apply to the safety of passengers -- the industry needs to act responsibly. Cruise ships need to report crimes so that justice can be served and criminals can be held accountable,” Kerry said. “All crimes, regardless of a cruise ship’s shifting international jurisdiction, must be reported, investigated, or prosecuted.”
The Cruise Lines International Association released the following statement in response to the proposed legislation: “The safety and security of cruise line passengers is the top priority of CLIA-member cruise lines. Serious crime aboard cruise ships is very rare, however, even one incident is one too many. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to crime and have comprehensive policies and procedures in place to ensure that passengers are safe while enjoying their cruise vacation. The cruise line industry is required by law to report serious crimes if they occur. Additionally, the industry has an agreement with the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard to report all alleged crimes involving U.S. citizens while at sea. When an alleged crime is reported, highly trained security personnel of the cruise lines handle these situations with professionalism. Millions of passengers each year enjoy a cruise vacation, and while serious incidents are rare, we say again, one is one too many. In recent years, Congress has held numerous hearings on this matter. During those proceedings and still today, we remain committed to working with lawmakers to address this important issue. Cruise lines endeavor to make cruise ships safe and secure environments with 24-hour security personnel on duty who are trained to respond to a variety of emergencies or alleged crimes. Cruise ships are designed to comply with all federal and international passenger safety codes and regulations which maximize passenger safety and are subjected to oversight and inspection by U.S. federal agencies and others.”
Matsui said the bill is also supported by Reps. John Lewis of Georgia, Carolyn Maloney of New York and Ted Poe of Texas. The bill was reintroduced this year with additional language to prevent pirate attacks by enhancing and protecting vessel security zones. The bill incorporates the recommendations and priorities of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), a nonprofit organization that represents victims of crimes on cruise ships, as well as Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN).
Matsui said the legislation would mandate that guard rails reach 54 inches in height, and that entry doors of staterooms would have peep holes, security latches and time-sensitive key technology. Ship owners would be required to implement technology to detect when a passenger falls overboard. Procedures would be established to determine which crew members have access to staterooms and when. Ship owners would be required to equip their vessels with a sound warning system capable of communicating with other nearby vessels inside the surrounding security zone. The legislation would establish a reporting structure based on the current voluntary agreement in place between the cruise industry, the FBI, and the Coast Guard. Additionally, each ship would be required to maintain a log book which would record all deaths, missing individuals, alleged crimes, and passenger/crewmember complaints regarding theft, sexual harassment and assault. The log books would be available to FBI and Coast Guard electronically, as well as to any law enforcement officer upon request. Statistical information would be posted on a public website maintained by the Coast Guard.
Each ship would be required to maintain anti-retroviral medications and medications used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases after assault, as well as equipment and materials for performing a medical examination to determine if a victim has been raped. U.S.-licensed medical practitioners would be on every ship to perform the necessary examinations and to administer treatment. The legislation also would establish a program designed by the Coast Guard and the FBI, and certified by the administrator of the Maritime Administration, to train crewmembers in crime scene investigation. Each ship would be required to maintain one crewmember trained and certified under such a program. For more information, visit www.internationalcruisevictims.org, www.cruising.org or www.matsui.house.gov.
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