[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 652 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 652

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of protecting 
  American cruise ship passengers against crimes on the high seas and 
 ensuring that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2007

   Ms. Matsui (for herself, Mr. Shays, Mrs. Maloney of New York, Mr. 
 Arcuri, Mrs. Capps, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, 
  Ms. Zoe Lofgren of California, Mr. Poe, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Thompson of 
 California, Mr. Towns, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, Ms. Watson, 
   Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Filner, Mr. Carter, Mr. Berry, Ms. 
   Slaughter, Mr. Cardoza, and Mr. McGovern) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of protecting 
  American cruise ship passengers against crimes on the high seas and 
 ensuring that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice.

Whereas there are approximately 200 overnight ocean-going cruise ships 
        worldwide, and the average such ship carries 2,000 passengers as well as 
        a crew of 950 people;
Whereas approximately 12,000,000 passengers are projected to take a cruise 
        worldwide in the year 2007 alone;
Whereas few vacationing passengers on cruise liners fully appreciate their 
        potential vulnerability to crime while on an ocean voyage, and those who 
        are victimized often do not know their legal rights or who to contact 
        for help in the immediate aftermath of the crime;
Whereas sexual violence, the disappearance of passengers from vessels on the 
        high seas, and other serious crimes have occurred during luxury cruises 
        on numerous occasions, as evidenced by the congressional testimony of 
        the President of the International Cruise Victims Association, Kendall 
        Carver, and Ms. Laurie Dishman during a March 27, 2007 hearing before 
        the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives;
Whereas crimes at sea can involve attacks by both passengers and crewmembers on 
        other passengers and crewmembers;
Whereas no Federal statute or regulation explicitly requires cruise lines to 
        report alleged crimes to United States Government officials unless such 
        crimes occur within the territorial waters of the United States;
Whereas it is not known precisely how often crimes occur on cruise ships or 
        exactly how many people have disappeared during ocean voyages because 
        cruise line companies do not make comprehensive, crime-related data 
        readily available to the public;
Whereas obtaining reliable crime-related cruise data from governmental sources 
        can be difficult, because multiple countries may be involved when crime 
        occurs on the high seas, including the flag country for the vessel, the 
        country of citizenship of particular passengers, and any countries 
        having special or maritime jurisdiction;
Whereas due to the absence of law enforcement officials on ocean voyages, it can 
        be difficult or impossible for criminal investigators to immediately 
        secure an alleged crime scene on a cruise ship, recover evidence of an 
        onboard offense, and identify or interview potential witnesses to the 
        alleged crime;
Whereas the adequate collection and preservation of evidence relating to a crime 
        on the high seas frequently depends upon the ability and willingness of 
        cruise officials to manage an alleged crime scene, identify possible 
        witnesses, and provide aid to the victim until law enforcement officials 
        arrive on the ship;
Whereas most cruise ships that operate into and out of United States ports are 
        registered under the laws of another country and subsequent 
        investigations and prosecutions of crimes against passengers and 
        crewmembers may involve the laws and authorities of multiple nations;
Whereas perpetrators of sexual violence and other violent crimes on cruise ships 
        are rarely brought to justice in light of the jurisdictional 
        uncertainties and the absence of law enforcement authorities employing 
        standard police investigative procedures on voyages;
Whereas sexual assault and physical assaults on cruise ships were the leading 
        crime reported to and investigated by the Federal Bureau of 
        Investigation on the high seas over the last five years, but cruise line 
        personnel do not consistently provide sufficient access to readily 
        available, confidential support services, such as the crisis 
        intervention services that are available through the National Sexual 
        Assault Hotline or the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline, for 
        American passengers who become victims of sexual violence while 
        vacationing on cruise ships;
Whereas consumers who book a cruise generally do not receive information at the 
        point of sale about their legal rights as a cruise passenger and who to 
        contact for help in the event a crime occurs during their oceangoing 
        voyage; and
Whereas groups such as the International Cruise Victims Association, the 
        National Center for Victims of Crime, and the Rape, Abuse & Incest 
        National Network have voiced concern about the safety of passengers and 
        crewmembers traveling on ocean voyages: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the members of the International Cruise Victims 
        Association, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and the 
        Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network are to be commended for 
        their leadership in highlighting the problem of crimes against 
        American citizens on cruise ships;
            (2) cruise line passengers and crewmembers who become 
        victims of crime while traveling on the high seas are often 
        denied access to justice and support services, and Americans 
        who are victims of crime on a cruise ship should have ready 
        access to justice and additional steps should be taken to 
        ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to 
        justice;
            (3) the cruise industry should provide comprehensive 
        information to passengers about security risks and maintain 
        necessary security personnel on each ship; and
            (4) Congress should provide oversight to ensure the safety 
        and security of American passengers.
                                 <all>