Bill Introduced by Congressman Shays Requires Cruise Lines to Report All Crimes in a Timely Manner

It is imperative that any reporting system also include mandatory reporting of all incidents where cruise line employees or contractors are victims of crimes, accidents, or threats. Passengers are only as safe as those who serve them.

floridatoday.com June 28, 2006
Bill gets tough on cruise crime
Legislation requires reports of missing passengers
BY DONNA BALANCIA

U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., and the International Cruise Victims are the forces behind the proposal, which they are calling the Cruise Line Accurate Safety Statistics Act.

"We still have a long way to go, but this is a first positive step to make the cruise ships safe for all concerned," said Son Michael Pham of Seattle. His parents disappeared without a trace off the Carnival Destiny on May 12, 2005, and he said the circumstances regarding their disappearance are still unknown.
"For many of us who are involved, it is not easy to keep telling the stories over and over, but we are committed, and we feel the obligation," Pham said. "If we don't tell the story, we can't help the next people who step on the cruise ship."