Admiralty Attorney

The Crimes on Cruise Ships Resolution

When people book and go on a cruise, they are looking forward to a carefree vacation complete with food, adventure, and entertainment. Given this mindset, few people stop to consider the potential dangers of being out at sea in such an enclosed and loosely regulated environment.

In recent years, numerous reports of cruise ship passengers falling overboard, disappearing, or being sexually assaulted have burst into the public consciousness. Several advocacy groups, including the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) and the International Cruise Victims Association, have expressed concern about these troubling reports. Nor are passengers the only ones at risk; even crew members may fall victim to criminal activity.

Eventually, even Congress got involved. Representatives Doris Matsui, Carolyn Maloney, and Christopher Shays introduced a House Resolution aimed at increasing awareness of crime on cruise ships and the need for Congressional regulation of industry conduct.

The Protect Americans from Crimes on Cruise Ships Resolution recognizes that crimes which occur on cruise ships are often left unsolved, owing primarily to the lack of clear regulations, law enforcement personnel on board, and/or proper evidence-collecting techniques. In most cases, the cruise company and its personnel can virtually act at their own discretion, since Federal law only requires the company to report crimes to law enforcement if the ship was sailing in US territorial waters.

While the final effects of the Resolution have yet to be seen, one thing is made clear: safety cannot be taken for granted, even on a cruise vacation. Perpetrators of rape and other violent crimes on cruise ships are rarely caught. Cruise ship personnel have an inherent conflict of interest between maintaining the reputation of their company and acting on behalf of victimized passengers or fellow crew members.

An experienced admiralty lawyer can help you understand your rights under admiralty law, and help you protect those rights if you are injured or victimized. To learn more, call 866-950-9000 for a free consultation with an experienced admiralty lawyer from Williams Kherkher today.