Cruises.com.au Blog

Words & Pictures: John Pond, Editor at Sea – Cruise Passenger Magazine. In the United States, a law requiring cruise ships to improve passenger and crew safety and to crack down on crime at sea has just been sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The new law named The Cruise Line Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 passed the House last week; the Senate has already unanimously approved the Bill. The approved legislation is a significant victory for cruise passengers’ rights.

The Bill requires the cruise industry to comply with a number of security provisions such as ship rail heights, peep holes in cabin doors and video surveillance systems. Crews are required to record alleged crimes and report all serious crimes to the Coast Guard and FBI.

A small lobby group the International Cruise Victims Association comprised of cruise ship victims and their loved ones, has lobbied for protections from crimes at sea since March 2006.

I believe this is a great move forward and should be looked at by the Australian authorities and be emulated by us.

John.

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