ICV Update November 2, 2011

SAMMAMISH, WASHINGTON 

The International Cruise Victims Association, Inc. (ICV), a not-for-profit corporation formed by victims and families of victims of cruise ship crime, has been the voice promoting safety on cruise ships.

With the passage of legislation last year under the sponsorship of ICV, major efforts have recently been made to move this forward around the world.  

We are pleased to inform you that on November 1^st, 2011, the House of Commons in the UK held a hearing on the issue of Crimes on Cruise Ships.

In this hearing, MP Stephen Mosley indicated the following:

"Improving the prevention and investigation of crimes at sea needs a two-fold approach, which includes tightening safety regulations governing cruise ships and clarifying international cooperation when investigating crimes. Last year in the United States, President Obama signed into law the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, which is designed to increase security, law enforcement, and accountability on cruise ships in international waters and for ships that visit U.S. ports.

I urge the Minister to consider implementing a similar Act in the UK. Bringing together the variety of laws that currently govern cruise ships into one concise and comprehensive set of regulations would go some way to improving safety on cruise ships. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg.

It is not unsurprising that cruise ships and cruise companies do not publish the number of offenses that occur on board, and only by trawling through international records and news reports and through contacts with victims and their families can campaign groups such as the International Cruise Victims Association and Victim Support collate figures. International Cruise Victims states that at least 165 people have gone missing at sea since 1995, with at least 19 so far this year alone."

In addition, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning, spoke at this hearing.  He indicated that action needs to be taken including the IMO setting standards.  He indicated in his 15-minute presentation the following: 

"As I stated earlier, however, this issue goes beyond cruise liners. It is crucial that people feel safe on a ship, whether they are at work or traveling for leisure, and whether they are on a cruise liner or, speaking more loosely, a cargo freighter going around the coast on a regular basis."

Click here to read transcript from the hearing.

This is an historic move forward and much of the credit goes to the Coriam family and their major efforts.  ICV and Victims Support of the UK have actively been supporting this family in those efforts.

For those that have sent in donations, we are grateful for the assistance.  Your generosity does make a difference.  As we move into the international arena, for those who have not yet contributed, we ask that you consider doing so by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you.

Kendall Carver, Chairman

602-852-5896

Jamie Barnett, President

818-355-6462