Dear Members and Friends...


It was just four years ago this week that Rep Chris Shays held the first
Congressional hearing concerning Safety on Cruise Ships.  That hearing
discussed the George Smith and Merrian Carver cases  and was, under the
continued  leadership of Rep Matsui and Sen. John Kerry,  the beginning of a
long journey that has resulted in the U. S. House of Representatives passing
the Cruise Line Safety Act of 2009 with a vote of 416 - 4 within the past
month. Great progress is also being made in the Senate and we are most
optimistic that they will soon take similar action.


The need to improve safety is even more urgent today.  A summary of recent
events include the following:
 
    1.  As of yesterday, according to Dr. Ross Klein, a record number of
passengers and crew have gone overboard this year.  So far 23 have gone
overboard.  THAT IS MORE THAT ONE EVERY TWO WEEKS.  Until our bill becomes
law, no one will know how many sexual crimes and other crimes will have
taken place during this year. His website for this information is as
follows: 

http://www.cruisejunkie.com/Overboard.html


    2. While excessive drinking often serves as part of the problem in many
of these cases, Celebrity Cruise lines has just announced that for one price
they will provide unlimited drinks to their passengers.
Frankly, we are deeply concerned over the decision to introduce
all-you-can-drink-cruising or "unlimited drinks" for passengers on certain
Celebrity cruise ships.  It appears obvious that this will encourage
passengers to drink even more to get their money's worth. Also, how can you
deny drinks to someone that has already had too much to drink if they have
paid for unlimited drinks?  As a result, as of last week the Executive
Committee of ICV sent a memo to the CEO, Dan Hanrahan, and Head of Security,
Gary Bald, expressing our deep concern about offering unlimited alcohol to
their passengers for one price.  So far we have received no response.


Usually when someone goes overboard, the U.S. Coast Guard launches a major
effort to search for the victim.  Most of the time, these searches are not
successful.  Under a Freedom of Information Act Request we were provided the
cost for one of these searches. It was indicated by the Coast Guard that one
unsuccessful search cost over $800,000. Since the Cruise lines have
registered themselves in foreign countries like Liberia and Panama, and
therefore pay NO FEDERAL INCOME TAXES, these searches are paid for by the
U.S. Taxpayers.


In a release by the Coast Guard this week, they have advised that they will
established a temporary safety zone for the world's largest cruise ship,
Oasis of the Seas, arrival and departure into and from St. Thomas, U.S.
Virgin Islands on Tuesday. Does this mean that the Coast Guard is going to
have to protect this ship at  U.S. taxpayer expense?  We can only assume
that the cost of providing this security zone cost thousands of dollars.


ICV has become the voice of all of those that take cruises and want improved
safety.  In the four years since our first hearing, we have made amazing
progress.  We have had the support from individuals from around the world.
In line with the request we made last week, we hope that you will take the
opportunity to contribute to ICV.  Just go to the following link to make our
contribution:
 
http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/Donations.html


ICV is making a difference in the world and we appreciate your support.