When cruising is a crime
The US Congress, investigating security in the $30-billion-a-year cruise industry, heard that 178 passengers reported sexual assaults and 24 passengers disappeared in a three-year period.
Cruise officials are quick to note that these figures are not high when considering that more than 10 million Americans go on cruises every year.
Two hundred cruise ships dock in the United States, 198 of which are registered in foreign countries, exempting them from abiding by most US laws and regulations, says the AP.
Among those testifying to Congress: Angela Orlich of Springfield, Mass., who with family and friends, went on a Royal Caribbean cruise in January of 2003.
Aboard the ship, Orlich bought a scuba excursion in Cozumel, Mexico. But once her instructor got her alone underwater, she says he started to sexually assault her.
“I started going towards the rope and I started to pull myself up on the rope, and he was pushing me down,” Orlich said. “I started going up the rope again and at this time he started taking my bathing suit off, pulling it down.”
She said he proceeded to shut her air tank off.
“I don’t know if he was trying to murder me or what. But I got back up, I got to the top” she said.
Last March, Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association, testified before Congress that “the cruise industry has a zero tolerance for crime.”
In the past, it’s not been known how common crime was aboard cruise ships. But a new reporting arrangement last April gives a more definitive picture, according to FBI officials who said the cruise lines have reported 207 possible crimes since the new rules.
Of those, 72 were considered to be potentially serious crimes by the FBI, including 41 reports of sexual assault. It opened 18 investigations, including 13 for rape.
Cruise lines in April agreed to telephone the FBI upon learning of eight types of crimes, including homicides, suspicious deaths, sexual assaults and the disappearance of US nationals.
Congress has held four hearings on cruise security since 2006. Some committee members have pressed for improved reporting of incidents.
“Improving safety certainly is the best way they can protect their corporate interests and image,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Gary Bald, chief security officer at Royal Caribbean Cruises, said his line is taking steps advocated by victims, including more security cameras and guards on ships.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025