WASHINGTON, D.C. Sen. John Kerry today chaired a hearing on cruise ship safety for the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Sub-Committee. Current statute does not require cruise ships to report even the most serious crimes that happen in international waters to U.S. authorities.

Previous hearings in the House were held by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT). Senator Kerry was driven to hold companion hearings in the Senate after meeting Ken Carver, whose daughter Merrian disappeared on a cruise in 2004. Merrian was a resident of Cambridge, MA.

Passenger safety should be the top priority for the cruise line industry, and its clear that they have work to do, said Sen. Kerry. Its just plain wrong that disappearances and serious crimes can occur aboard these ships that are not reported, investigated, or prosecuted. Shifting legal jurisdictions are no excuse for endangering the safety of cruise ship travelers. Ken Carvers tireless commitment to reforming safety regulations sends a crystal clear message cruise ships need to take care of their passengers. Ill be introducing legislation in the coming weeks to make these ships safer and hold the industry accountable.

After multiple hearings, it is clear that we must take action to bring sunshine to the cruise industry, said Rep. Matsui. Cruise companies must ensure the safety and security of their patrons and act responsibly to prevent crimes from happening. Americans taking cruise vacations have a reasonable expectation to be informed of potential risks to their safety, and to have proper reporting and evidence-gathering in the aftermath of a crime. They have a right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Its important we continue the efforts to improve cruise ship safety which began in the last Congress, when I chaired the National Security Subcommittee, said Rep. Shays. The bottom line is, the crime statistics provided by the cruise industry are inaccurate and inadequate. This must change.