International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) Members to Testify at the California State Senate Public Safety Committee on April 8, 2008

The Public Safety Committee of the California State Senate has scheduled a hearing on April 8th to review legislation submitted by Senator Joe Simitian. The hearing will be held at the John L. Burton Room (4203).  Members of the ICV to testify regarding their experiences. These include Kendall Carver and Laurie Dishman.

Kendall Carver of Phoenix, Arizona lost his daughter on the Celebrity cruise ship Mercury, owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises. Following her disappearance, the cruise line failed to notify family members or law enforcement and engaged in a cover-up of his daughters disappearance, Mr. Carver alleges. Mr. Carver is the President and one of the founding members of the ICV. Families of victims created this organization as a victims advocacy group to protect the members of the public who travel on cruise ships. The group now has members around the world including 16 difference countries and a separate chapter in Australia.

Ms. Laurie Dishman of Sacramento, California, was a victim of a violent crime occurred aboard the Vision of the Seas, a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean. According to Ms. Dishman, a security guard employed by the cruise line sexually assaulted and battered her while she was in her cabin. Ms. Dishmans investigation has revealed that the security guard was originally hired to work as a janitor. The ship assigned him and other janitors security badges to work in the ships lounge because of an inadequate number of security personnel on the cruise ship.

The ICV will testify in support of S. B, 1582.  This bill would require that every cruise ship entering and exiting a California port have a qualified Ocean Ranger on board to protect the public, enhance homeland security and ensure compliance with laws banning offshore dumping of cruise ship waste.

For more information about the International Crime Victims Association, please visit www.internationalcruisevictims.org or contact the following:

Kendall Carver at  kcarver17@cox.net

Phone - Office   602 852 5896