P&O Australia death prompts call for cruise cops
Cruise ships should carry federal police on board and scan passengers for drugs, according to an Australian coroner.
New South Wales coroner Jacqueline Milledge made the comments in response to the death of 42-year-old mother-of-three Dianne Brimble whose naked body was found in a cabin on a P&O Australia South Pacific cruise in 2002.
An inquest into Ms Brimble’s death was reopened and concluded on Friday.
Ms Brimble, who was cruising with family members, died after consuming alcohol and the drug GHB. Ms Milledge rejected the notion that Ms Brimble was a willing participant in taking the drug and having sex with a number of men.
The cabin was that of Mark Wilhelm who pleaded guilty to supplying her with drugs but was not jailed after the judge said the charge was related to supply to a consenting adult.
Several other men have faced charges but not in relation to Ms Brimble’s actual death.
Ms Milledge told the coroners court that Ms Brimble was "unknowingly drugged by unscrupulous individuals who were intent on denigrating her for their own gratification".
She added that she thought reforms were needed in cruising security including increased drug detection and more procedures for deterring smuggling drugs on board, including measures to “ensure that all passengers, visitors, crew and staff of every ship are properly scanned”.
She added that the presence of federal police on board would mean crimes were investigated more promptly and would also help towards crime prevention.
She said: “It would not be intended that their presence be intrusive, but they would be reactive to crime reporting and could ensure a timely investigation."
Ann Sherry, chief executive officer at P&O Cruises parent company Carnival Australia, said sweeping changes in security had been made since Ms Brimble’s death to make sure people felt safe and secure on board.
She said: “The highest standards of passenger safety, security and care are now at the heart of our operations and from which there will be no going back.
“The measures include the responsible service of alcohol, zero tolerance of excessive behaviour onboard, comprehensive security arrangements and the development of international police protocols for the reporting and swift investigation of crimes at sea.”
She added that the recommendation for Australian Federal Police to be on board cruise ships presented some complex jurisdictional issues, whcih could now be considered by the relevant federal authorities suggested by Ms Milledge.
*Would the coroner’s suggestion work? If you are a cruise operator or involved in this sector, Travelmole would like to know your views. Add a comment and let us know.
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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