Maritime Accident News

You May Be Safer On Your Next Cruise

Are you planning your next vacation? Perhaps, like many Americans, you are considering a cruise for you and your family. If so, you might feel safer to know that the new Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act has become law.

The new bill, authored by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), received broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Obama on July 27, 2010. The purpose of the law is to increase the security and safety for cruisers.

“Every year cruise line companies carry over 10 million Americans to and from American ports,” said Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX). “The cruise line companies promise Americans safety, security, fun and relaxation aboard the ships. But as we have seen, safety is not something the cruise lines are always prepared to guarantee.”

Rep. Ted Poe’s website states that the bill requires ships to strengthen security measures and report alleged crimes.

The bill also addresses the issue of safety rails. Cruisers will soon see peepholes on every cabin door. Ships are also to install video surveillance and time sensitive key technologies to detect passengers who might fall overboard.

The bill addresses the issues of crime aboard ships, especially sexual crimes. Ships will now be required to have equipment to conduct medical examinations in the event that a sexual assault takes place. They will be required to maintain a supply of medications to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, if someone becomes a victim of a sexual assault.

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