ICV Press Release

April 20, 2011

ICV announces major new legislation introduced in California

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON -  In conjunction with efforts by the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), major legislation to improve safety on cruise ships has just been announced in California by Assembly Member Roger Hernández (D - West Covina). He has introduced legislation that would ensure the rights of cruise ship patrons when a crime is committed against them while they are at sea.  Assembly Bill 1060 would allow California law to apply to crimes committed at sea, and would require every cruise line to provide notification to passenger victims that they can pursue additional avenues of recourse when reporting a crime.  

"Cruises are intended to be a vacation at sea, and when crimes are committed on cruise ships, victims are basically held captive with their perpetrator until the ship docks," said Assembly Member Hernández.  "AB 1060 provides relief for cruise ship victims who may otherwise not be able to find justice

today."

The goal of ICV is not to damage cruise lines but to hold them accountable for the safety of future passengers and crew members, and to require promptand accurate reports to authorities of crimes, deaths, disappearances and other matters that would normally be investigated if they had occurred on land.  

"ICV commends the leadership of Assembly Member Roger Hernández with the introduction of historic legislation to further protect the passengers arriving in California ports that have been a victim of a crime on a cruise ship," said Jamie Barnett, President of ICV.  "In addition to the new federal legislation passed last year, this important legislation will provide even greater protection and options for passengers to make sure that justice takes place when they are a victim of a crime on a cruise ship. ICV sees this legislation as being a guide to other states to better protect their passengers who arrive in their states on cruise ships." 

Kendall Carver, Chairman

Jamie Barnett, President

For more information about the International Crime Victims Association, please visit  <http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/>

www.internationalcruisevictims.org or contact the following: 

Kendall Carver

E-Mail Kcarver17@cox.net

Phone 602 852 5896 or 602 989 6752

International Cruise Victims Association | 704 228th Ave NE - PMB 525 | Sammamish | WA | 98074

-- Edited by News Editor on Wednesday 20th of April 2011 05:45:31 PM

-- Edited by News Editor on Wednesday 20th of April 2011 05:45:46 PM

-- Edited by News Editor on Wednesday 20th of April 2011 06:49:35 PM