SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON - Just one year ago, the United States Congress passed and the President signed into law the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act.  This historic legislation was sponsored by ICV.  In less than five years from the time we started, thanks to the efforts of our volunteer members, we were able to accomplish this historic step to improve safety for passengers on cruise ships.   What has happened in just one year since that time?

In the past two months, two worldwide organizations have joined ICV to promote our legislation in other countries around the world.  These two major groups are the World Society of Victimology and the Victims Support Europe.  Because of the significance of the passage of legislation in the United States, we are extremely pleased to see legislation being presented, based upon the U.S. laws, in several countries around the world.  Recent developments include the following:

Philippines

As of last week, a bill has been introduced in the Philippines based upon our legislation.  This was introduced by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  More information on this significant development can be found on our website at the following link:

http://bansangpilipinas.com/2011/07/bill-protecting-sea-cruise-passengers-an

d-crew-from-sea-crimes-filed   

United Kingdom

Again, last week ICV members, Mike and Ann Coriam, parents of Rebecca Coriam who disappeared on a Disney Cruise,  advised us that their MP spoke in the House of Commons about getting regulations changed in the UK to match what exists in the United States. 

This news story was covered by the BBC.  A link to this major development on our website is as follows:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-14070191

Australia

Last December a major hearing was conducted in Australia regarding the death of Dianne Brimble.  The conclusion was that Australia should also adopt legislation as was done in the United States.  ICV, through the leadership of Mark Brimble, made major presentations.  Within the past few weeks, the Prime Minister of Australia has communicated with Mark indicating that the Attorney General is in the process of reviewing these findings which will hopefully result in his recommending similar legislation.

A link to the findings of this hearing are as follows:

http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/files/Brimble_Recommendations.pdf

In addition to these developments mentioned above, ICV has been successful in passing crime legislation in the Assembly in California and will be working to have the Senate take action.  Our goal is to see what we have done here in the united States eventually take place around the world. As a result, we are actively working on these and other major developments in Europe and the IMO so that all passengers and crew members may obtain the protection they deserve when on a cruise ship.

As ICV takes on these issues, we need and appreciate your support.   

Kendall Carver, Chairman

Jamie Barnett, President

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

Kendall Carver

E-Mail  <mailto:Kcarver17@cox.net> 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 Tuesday 19th of July 2011 08:49:32 AM