International Cruise Victims Organization Submits Recommendations to Congress for Changes to the Cruise Industry

Several members of the International Cruise Victims (ICV) organization testified in a Congressional hearing on March 7, 2006. At the hearing, ICV submitted an excellent list of recommendations to the subcommittee of changes needed to improve safety and security aboard cruise ships, including changes that would hold cruise companies accountable for crimes and tragedies that occur on their ships. They can be viewed at INCREASING SECURITY & PASSENGER SAFETY

I suggest that the list should also include protections for the safety, security, and civil rights of all crewmembers. Unless crime and safety records of all cruise line employees are maintained and monitored, we will never be able to to improve conditions for passengers. We have no idea about the amount of crime, death, and disappearances that have occurred involving crewmembers. 5 Cruise Ship Employees Die under Suspicious Circumstances in Last 4 Weeks

I also believe that we should ask Congress to have the FBI or other agency investigate the fact thath the cruise lines have hampered investigations to the point of destroying evidence, preventing the timely testimony of crewmembers, and cantaminating crime scenes. If appropriate, the cruise companies should be charged and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for aiding and abetting criminals and obstruction of justice.

While on a cruise vacation, American citizens have a right to have an independent, experienced, trained law enforcement person on each ship that they can immediately report crimes and safety problems. What works good on land should work well on the water. These "sea marshals" should

• Take reports of safety incidents as well as criminal activity. Some deaths and disappearances might be the result of lax or unenforced safety procedures.
• Maintain database of incidents and provide some analysis of current procedures and conduct of parties involved and recommend improvements for all.
• Develop a "Neighborhood Watch" or "Guardian Angel" type system that could include frequent customers, crewmembers, contract employees, travel agents, etc.
• Create an "Amber Alert" type system to help find missing passengers.
• Provide ongoing security and safety training to passengers, crew, travel agents, and organizers including shore excursion groups. This could include short entertaining presentations geared for different age groups covering subjects such as assault, identity theft, date rape, kidnapping, teenage and young child safety, security, safety, and health issues while in other countries or at sea, and threats for seniors.