Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jim Himes (D-CT) have introduced the so-called Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA) to strengthen passenger safety on cruise ships.
According to a statement from Matsui’s office, the CPPA would build on the passenger safety measures signed into law in the 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA). The bill strengthens crime reporting and video surveillance requirements, improves medical standards, and holds cruise lines responsible for deaths at sea. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward Markey (D-MA) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
“Standards for victims’ rights should be strong whether on land or at sea,” said Rep. Matsui. “The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act made important progress in strengthening protections for passengers, but we have much more work to do. This legislation strengthens existing reporting laws and raises consumer protection standards, so families have the peace of mind they deserve when they board a cruise ship. I am grateful to the victims and their families who have come forward and continue to be essential voices in our work to improve cruise safety through legislative reform.”
“When American citizens board a cruise ship, they expect a peaceful escape,” said Rep. Poe. “But the reality is that crime does not disappear simply because people are on vacation. Unfortunately, American passengers sometimes go missing or become victims of sexual and physical assault while sailing the high seas. The passage of the 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act took the first step in protecting the safety and security of passengers. The Cruise Passenger Protection Act builds upon this important law by implementing stronger requirements to protect victims of crime and to hold their perpetrators accountable.”
“Many cruise ships are the size of small towns – but with few emergency services and no law enforcement, these vessels are more Wild West than Atlantis,” commented Senator Blumenthal. “And when something goes wrong on a cruise ship, a dream vacation can quickly turn into a nightmare. Our legislation will ensure that consumers know the risks associated with cruise ship travel before they buy a ticket; and if their rights are violated, this bill will help ensure that they have a place to seek recourse.”
“With serious safety and health incidents continuing to occur on cruise ships every year, we need to put measures in place to protect passengers who need medical services or become victims of crime,” added Senator Markey. “I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting federal legislation that puts in places basic protections for the millions of Americans who take cruises.”
“Cruise ship safety strikes close to home in Connecticut’s Fourth District,” said Rep. Hines. “In 2005, a young man from Greenwich – George Smith IV – went missing while on his honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. Since George disappeared, his family has fought tirelessly to improve safety on cruise ships and to protect cruise ship passengers. The fight continues today with the Cruise Passenger Protection Act. This bill bolsters current law with tighter crime reporting, expanded video surveillance equipment and record-keeping requirements, and streamlined tracking and public reporting of alleged crimes on cruise ships. Safety improvements like these will help prevent more avoidable tragedies.”
According to the statement from Rep. Matui’s office, specifically, the CPPA would: ensure a cruise vessel owner notifies the FBI within four hours of an alleged incident; ensure that if an alleged incident occurs while the vessel is still in a U.S. port, the FBI is notified before that vessel leaves the port; require vessel owners to also report an alleged offense to the U.S. Consulate in the next port of call, if the alleged offense is by or against a U.S. national; clarify that vessels must have video surveillance equipment in all passenger common areas, and other areas, where there is no expectation of privacy.
The CPPA will also allow individuals access to video surveillance records for civil action purposes; mandate that all video records are kept for 30 days after completion of the voyage; direct the Coast Guard to promulgate final standards within one year detailing requirements for the retention of video surveillance records; require that the internet website of alleged crimes on cruise ships indicate whether the reported crimes were committed against minors; direct the Department of Transportation to conduct a study determining the feasibility of having an individual charged with victim support services on board each passenger vessel; and require integration of technology that can both capture images and detect when a passenger has fallen overboard.
Furthermore, the CPPA will create medical standards requiring that a qualified physician and sufficient medical staff to be present and available for passengers, crew members receive basic life support training, automated defibrillators are accessible throughout the ship, and the initial safety briefing includes important emergency medical and safety information; ensure that should a U.S. passenger die aboard a vessel, his or her next of kin could request the vessel to return the deceased back to the United States; and ensure that families of victims are able to pursue fair compensation after a death on the high sea. This gives cruise passengers the same rights as airline passengers.
