The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has announced a  committee hearing on March 1 “to review whether current cruise ship industry regulations sufficiently protect passengers and the environment.”

At the hearing, the Committee said it will consider questions related to the safety, security and environmental practices of the cruise ship industry. In light of the recent accident involving the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy, safety issues will be a particular focus of the hearing.  Witnesses will address industry environmental practices and efforts to mitigate crime and maintain passenger safety and security onboard U.S. cruise ships.

Listed witnesses include Vice Admiral Brian Salerno, deputy commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Bill Johnson, director of the Port of Miami; Captain William Doherty, director of maritime relations for the Nexus consulting group; Ross Klein, professor at St. Johns College (Newfoundland); and Christine Duffy, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association.

The hearing will be webcast live via the Senate Commerce Committee’s website, starting at 10:00.

The Senate hearing follows the House of Representatives Hearing on Feb. 29.