Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act Passed

June 12, 2010-According to reports the Senate as passed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. The vote by the Senate was unanimous in the passing of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act legislation by John Kerry. The act that was sponsored in July 2009 by Rep. Doris Matsui a Democrat of California and is the sponsor of companion legislation H.R. 4470, which has been passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This legislation is to increase security and law enforcement on cruise ships in international waters and holding the cruise lines accountable. What this bill will do is to improve ship safety and this is to be done by adding peep holes on every passenger and crewmember door, require on-deck video surveillance and emergency sound systems. The other safety measure is the requirement for forty-two inch guard rails.

There is to be a reporting structure established between the crews line personnel and industry, with the FBI and Coast Guard. Each cruise ship is required to maintain a log book recording all alleged crimes, deaths and missing persons aboard the ship. The log book will also record complaints against crewmembers and passengers of theft, sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Cruise ship rape lawyers will be pleased, since crime scene response with the inclusion of rape kits, a sexual assault forensic expert on board each ship and anti-retroviral medications on each cruise ship. The Secretary of Transportation in conjunction with the FBI will establish a program to appropriately train crew members in the detection, prevention, and reporting of criminal activities, along with preserving evidence in international maritime environments. 

This has been a public service message from:

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