Congresswoman Matsui Asks "Where are the Victims' Advocacy Groups?" At the NTSB Forum on Cruise Ship Safety

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) issued the following statement in advance of the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) forum titled "Cruise Ships: Examining Safety, Operations and Oversight":

"While I commend the NTSB for turning its attention to the important issue of cruise vessel safety, I am disappointed that the cruise victims' advocacy groups were once again left out in the cold. Cruise vessel safety goes beyond ship design and vessel operations and extends to the physical security of passengers and crew members. To truly encompass all aspects of cruise passenger safety we must also address the issue of crime aboard cruise ships. Victims' advocacy groups play an important role in shining a light on this issue that is all too often ignored. Only by including all parties at the table can we hope to make meaningful progress in providing passengers greater consumer protections and the resources necessary to better protect themselves on cruise vessels."

Congresswoman Matsui is a long-time advocate for improving safety and security aboard cruise vessels. She authored the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), bipartisan legislation that was signed into law in 2010. And she is currently the author of the Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA) that would build on the CVSSA to ensure maximum protection for passengers and victims.

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