Kerry Presses Cruise Ship Industry to Protect Passengers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following yesterday’s news of another in a series of sexual assaults on cruise ships, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today reintroduced legislation to demand increased security, law enforcement, and accountability on vessels in international waters.   Senator Kerry held hearings last June after meeting Ken Carver, whose daughter Merrian disappeared on a cruise in 2004.  Merrian was a resident of Cambridge, MA.

Introduced in the 110^th Congress as a companion bill to Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and former Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act would require all crimes that occur aboard cruise ships to be reported to the Coast Guard and Federal Bureau of Investigations.  Cruise ships, which operate under foreign flags of convenience, are not currently required under U.S. law to report crimes that occur outside of U.S. territorial waters.

“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,” said Kerry.  “All crimes, regardless of a cruise ship’s shifting international jurisdiction, must be reported, investigated, or prosecuted.  We owe it to law-abiding citizens like Ken Carver who have lost loved ones on these ships to hold the industry’s feet to the fire and make sure this never happens again.”

“Senator Kerry has been a great ally in the fight to ensure that cruisers are aware of the potential for a crime to occur and that victims receive the attention they need,” said Rep. Matsui.  “The introduction of this comprehensive cruise safety bill is an important step towards providing necessary oversight of cruise ships.  Our work will not be done until the cruise industry has stepped up and taken the necessary measures to provide a reasonable level of security for the millions of Americans who cruise each year.”

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Whitney Smith

Press Secretary

Senator John Kerry

(202) 224-4159

http://kerry.senate.gov