Matsui/Poe/Maloney/Shays Amendment Informing the Public of Cruise Crimes Passes House

Press Release

An amendment sponsored by Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-5), Ted Poe (TX-2), Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) and Christopher Shays (CT-4) to improve the transparency of cruise ship crime reporting statistics passed the House today by voice vote.

The amendment to H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which passed the House today by a vote of 395 to 7, requires the Coast Guard to maintain a numerical accounting of missing persons and alleged crimes committed on cruise ships and have the information available online. The database will be updated quarterly and aggregated by cruise line. The amendment also requires cruise lines to include a link to this database on their public websites.

"The cruise industry has a responsibility to keep their customers safe. Increased transparency of reported crimes and increased oversight of cruise security standards will achieve this goal, and make sure that the public is aware of the potential for a crime to happen on the high seas," said Rep. Matsui.

"With nearly 10 million Americans setting sail on cruise ships this year, it is important that they are informed of potential dangers," said Rep. Poe. "At this time there is no oversight or accountability of the safety and security of cruise ship passengers. This amendment will ensure that the tools are in place to make travelers more aware of potential dangers and hopefully prevent future crimes on a ship."

"Every crime should be accounted for - no matter where or when it occurs. Unfortunately, cruise ship crime too often goes overlooked, and consumers don't have access to information that could help keep them safe on vacation. We are committed to holding cruise ship criminals accountable and ensuring that cruise ship customers are safe and secure," said Rep. Maloney.

"I am grateful this legislation will improve the transparency of cruise crime statistics and the safety of cruise ship passengers," said Rep. Shays. "It's important we continue the efforts to improve cruise ship safety begun in the last Congress when I chaired the National Security Subcommittee. The bottom line is, the crime statistics provided by the cruise industry and inaccurate and inadequate. This has got to change."

The President of RAINN, Scott Berkowitz, applauded the passage of this vitally needed amendment, saying "According to the FBI, sexual assault and physical assault were the most frequently reported and investigated crimes on the high seas over the last five years. Congressman Shays' amendment would enable American consumers to more readily obtain reliable data about how often crimes are reported on cruises. We commend the Congressman for introducing this important amendment, which will be of tremendous benefit to all current and future cruise ship passengers."

During consideration of H.R. 280 by the Homeland Security Committee, language was negotiated into the bill requiring cruise lines to notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary of security-related incidents involving U.S. persons when it advises its port of call of its arrival.

Incidents required to be reported under the legislation include any act that results in death, serious bodily injury, sexual assault, a missing person, or that poses a significant threat to the cruise ship, any cruise ship passenger, any port facility, or any person in or near the port.

Representatives Matsui, Poe, Maloney and Shays also introduced H.Res. 652, to call attention to the growing level of crime on cruise ships and the lack of federal regulation overseeing the cruise industry. The resolution states that Americans should have access to justice and information regarding security risks, and that Congress should provide oversight to ensure the safety of American passengers.

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