Cruise Ship Safety Reviewed by Congress
Two Capitol Hill subcommittees held joint hearing that focused on cruise-ship crimes and disappearances. Over the last five years, the FBI has opened more than 300 cases of crime on the high seas. Forty-five percent of the crimes on cruise ships are sexual assaults. 22 percent are phyical assualts, and missings persons or disappearances account for 10 percent of the reported crimes.
The most recent case of a person missing is 59-year old Canadian, Jill Begora, who was reported missing by her husband on December 10th, as Royal Caribbean's 'Jewel of the Sea' entered Port Nassau in the Bahamas. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Bahamian Navy search for the woman in the open seas, but they found no trace of the woman.
Another high profile missing persons case is George Smith IV, who disappeared on his honeymoon in the Mediterranean. He was aboard a Royal Caribbean ship as well. His family is convinced that he was killed, because investigators found blood outside his cabin and on the ship's deck. His body was never found, and his family intends to sue the cruise line.
The International Cruise Line (ICCL) issued the following statement in response to the Congressional Hearings:
The cruise industry places the highest priority on the safety and security of its passengers and crew. With more than 10 million passengers cruising each year, the industry goes to great lengths to ensure that its passengers are safe and that they have a fun and enjoyable vacation experience.
Unfortunately, incidents of missing persons and/or crime on board cruise ships occasionally happen. While rare, the industry fully acknowledges these incidents and extends its sympathies to those passengers and their families. The membership of the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) reports any such incident to the proper authorities and cooperates in any investigations.
The House Subcommittees on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations and Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources have called a congressional hearing to discuss international maritime security. ICCL President Michael Crye will be testifying on the industry's safety and security practices.
A cruise ship is comparable to a secure building with a 24-hour security guard. Since a vessel operates in a controlled environment, access can be strictly enforced. Every person on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning staff and all guests, are placed on an official manifest. Passengers and crew may embark or disembark only after passing through security. Once the ship is underway, access is strictly limited to documented employees and fare-paying passengers.
A cruise ship's work force is pre-screened. The U.S. State Department oversees the issuance of work visas to foreign nationals who sail with ships into U.S. ports. U.S. embassy personnel in the crew member's country of origin conduct background checks.
Cruise lines operate within a very strict legal framework that gives both federal and state authorities the right to investigate crimes on board cruise ships. Unlike most instances of shoreside crime, the FBI has the authority to investigate and prosecute alleged crimes in international waters involving Americans.
In 1999, the member lines of the ICCL adopted a zero tolerance industry standard for crimes committed on board. In the rare instance crimes occur on board, cruise lines report and cooperate with the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard has jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international safety and security standards for all ships calling at U.S. ports. In a 1995 study, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that the cruise industry was one of the safest modes of transportation available.
Cruising is one of the most popular vacation options, in large part because of its excellent safety record and the high level of quality service provided on board cruise ships. The cruise industry is committed to providing a secure environment for its passengers and crew. We will continue to work with all appropriate federal and state agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew on board our vessels.