Several members of the recently formed International Cruise Victims (ICV) organization have been invited to testify in a Congressional hearing on March 7, 2006

The House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, with general oversight responsibility of “the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of Federal laws”, has scheduled a hearing entitled International Maritime Security II: Law Enforcement, Passenger Security and Incident Investigation on Cruise Ships. The purpose of the hearing is to examine the effectiveness of current regimes governing international maritime security, including law enforcement, passenger security and incident investigation.

The cruise industry is increasing in size in a dramatic manner yet cruise companies are largely unregulated and unaccountable for protecting passengers from crime and for assisting passengers after crimes have been committed. Representatives of families of victims and victims of cruise ships recently formed the nonprofit International Cruise Victims organization. The primary objectives of ICV are to provide support to victims of crimes that occur on cruise ships, and to act as an advocate for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships. At this hearing, some of the members of ICV will have the opportunity to present their own experiences dealing with the cruise line industry and provide recommendations on passenger security and incident investigations.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 at 2:00 p.m., room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Representative Christopher Shays (Connecticut) is the Chairman of the Subcommittee On National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations. The hearing is the second hearing, following the December 13, 2005 hearing on International Maritime Security which involved the Department of Defense, the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and representatives of the cruise industry.

For more information about the International Crime Victims, please visit  www.internationalcruisevictims.org or write to info@internationalcruisevictims.org, voice message 425-753-7711.