Just
imagine that day has finally arrived to go and enjoy some fun alongside of
family and friends. You have been
preparing and waiting all year for the day to board the ship and take a
delightful cruise across international waters.
This is your very first time leaving the country by water, and you
anticipate the best time in your life.
There will be plenty to do, plenty to eat and lots of sun! Suddenly, after only one day at sea, in the
middle of nowhere, you begin to regret being surrounded around nothing but
water with no way of leaving the ship during a heinous disaster. The ship is currently on lock down as an
emergency measure due to a criminal investigation. A horrific crime has
occurred. Unfortunately, this is a problem many have encountered while out on
sea during their vacations. In the
world we live in, more and more each day, the cruise line industry is battling
with widespread acts of crimes. If high
security measures are not implemented in the cruise line industry many may find
their dream vacations turning into their worst nightmares.
Cruise
ships have been around since before radio broadcasting was invented. Crimes have always occurred since the first
ones were ever built. “The Prinzessin
Victoria Luise was the world’s first cruise ship” (Grace). The ship was “built for the Hamburg America
Line” (Grace). During this era, only the
fortunate were travelers of the cruises.
This did not stop criminal activity from occurring. “The Prinzessin
Victoria Luise” was first “launched on June 29, 1900 and served as a cruising
passenger ship until December 16, 1906” (Grace). This ship was built to resemble “a private
yacht”, (Grace). It “contained 120
cabins, all first class. There was also
a library, a gymnasium, and a darkroom for the development of film by amateur
photographers (Grace). This invention
was considered a luxury, that lead to the prominent epidemic that now occurs
today, cruise ship crimes. The “MS
Bremen” a German ship was built in October 1990. It was considered an “Ice class” that sailed
the Antarctic. The standards for cruise
ships and the demand for “ice class” cruise ships increased. In March of 1993 the MS Hanseatic was built. It sailed “within 298 miles of the North
Pole.” Many wanted to take the cruise
lines to another level. In March of 1999
the MS Europa was then built. This ship
was “awarded the rating of 5-plus eighteen times in a row”. This cruise line industry has continued to
advance and grow and more and more crimes continue to occur. The current “modern cruise industry began in
the late 1960s with the founding of Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean
International and Carnival Cruise Lines” (Rodrigue and Notteboom). This modern day industry had a goal that they
reached beyond what they expected. Their
goal was to “develop a mass market since cruising was until then an activity
for the elite” (Rodrigue and Notteboom).
This industry has done that. It
has attracted many from all walks of life to experience luxury while out in sea
at an affordable price. In this industry
“ships are built and the customer are found to fill them through various
marketing and discounting strategies” (Rodrigue and Notteboom). Despite the cruise line industry’s reached
goals and much success, they also continue to battle, with criminal
activity. This has raised a problem for
the cruise line, and the many issues with jurisdiction laws. These jurisdiction laws have posed a great
impact on the help of corrections for individuals who decide to commit a crime
on a cruise ship or during porting.
Many have boarded a cruise ship with great excitement and
anticipation, and then onboard with a vivid picture of what they would consider
the worst time of their life. The cruise
line crimes are international. According
to Nico Scavella, “in 2015, The Bahamas was named by Yahoo Travel as one of the
Caribbean’s most dangerous cruise stops” (Scavella). Many do not have the
answers to, why there is a crime epidemic that exist on cruise ships. So many just offer their thoughts and opinions
on this current problem and have no solution. It is alarming to hear “when a
port advertised as a peaceful getaway has a murder rate 25 times more dangerous
than where you live” (Walker). Also the
fact that, “once you are victimized, the crooks are rarely apprehended”,
contributes with this epidemic of cruise line crimes being an ongoing problem
that may never be resolved (Walker).
Many may go on a well plan family vacation and return with a decease
family member. This unexpected tragedy,
can a huge impact on families. It has
brought much anxiety and grief to families who board with their love ones and
then never see them again upon departure.
According to research material, “Of the last 50 U.S. citizens killed in
Honduras, for example, the local police have solved just 2 cases”
(Walker). Just imagine going on vacation
and returning home without your child.
For example, a maritime lawyer stated, “a 14 year old girl from a cruise
ship visiting St. Thomas was murdered” (Walker). This is every parent’s nightmare.
These cruise ship crimes not only affect families, but
law enforcement and justice for the family of victims. According to Jim Walker, “cruise ships handle
crimes based on the laws of the countries where the ships are registered”. The reason for this is because “cruise lines
register their companies and ships offshore in order to avoid U.S. taxes, labor
and wage laws and safety standards”.
Like everyone else money appears to be more important to the industry
then justice and safety. The “cruise
lines report crimes against U.S. passengers to these foreign countries” they
are registered with (Walker).
Unfortunately, “these countries will not investigate a crime which
occurs on the high seas” (Walker). When
a crime has occurred and been reported, cruise lines priority appear to be
their concern for liability. They send
their own lawyers and investigators to the cruise ship to protect their “legal
interest”. This may very well
result in “the risk
of evidence being tampered with and witnesses not being timely interviewed”
(Walker). During the investigating stage
of a crime, “cruise lines are now required to report crimes to the Federal
Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard when the U.S. citizens are
involved” (Walker). This requirement
needs to be strictly enforced to help decrease the possibility of problems that
lie at hand.
According
to the article, “This is how to prevent Cruise Ship Disasters”, “onboard crime
is often slow to be reported and is poorly investigated” (Thompson, par 15).
The article, “This is how to prevent Cruise Ship Disasters”, mentioned the
reason behind cruise ship crimes is because, “you don’t have a police force,”
says Kendall Carver, Founder of the Nonprofit International Cruise Victims
Association, (Thompson, par 15). “In 2004 Carver’s daughter vanished from a
Royal Caribbean Cruise in Alaska,” (Thompson, par 16). Unfortunately, “no
attempt was made to look for her, and the cruise line never reported her
missing,” (Thompson, par 16). The world has to resolve this epidemic by taking
steps to have laws and rules implemented to increase safety and awareness.
Kendall
Carver took steps to have rules implemented which helped to increase
safety. Carver “lobbied ship owners to
raise railing heights, install cameras and sensing devices that would detect
man overboard accidents and ensure that alleged crimes are promptly and
thoroughly investigated,” (Thompson, par 16). In the year, 2010, “Congress
passed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act,” a contributor to having this
law passed was the efforts of Kendall Carver (Thompson, par 17). We still
battle with the cruise line epidemic because Kendall Carver said, “cruise lines
are failing to follow the law,” (Thompson, par 18). Without the laws being
enforced and implemented, the victims of cruise ship crimes will continue to
get no justice. Some victims, who were murdered and never seen again, may have
no voice. We, the nation, the passengers and loved ones need to be the victim’s
voice.
We
need solutions fast. Many have introduced ways and ideas with the attempt to
resolve this matter. So many are affected and in many different ways. We should
not solely rely on legislature to permit an injunction that is not being
implemented by the cruise lines industry.
No one wants to be accountable.
According to the article, “Cruise Ships and Liability”, “injuries may go
unreported due to confusion over which party is liable”(par 2). “Cruise Ships and Liability” also mentioned,
“both accidents and criminal offenses on the ships tend to involve complicated
laws” (par 9). So the legality of the
matter contributes to resolving this epidemic.
Let’s try something that will work while on
a cruise ship. The passengers can make a
difference. In research material, Kaylee Thompson mentioned a list of ways to
help resolve the problem of cruise ship crimes which included, “supervise
children”, this would also include, “teenagers”, “don’t drink alone”, and “know
our rights”(par 21) . It is vital to
protect our children. According to the
Senate Hearing, “The
Cruise Passenger Protection Act: Improving Consumer Protections For Cruise
Passengers”, Laurie Dishman, a
victim and currently a member of the board of directors for International
Cruise Victims list several examples of “shortcomings in the reporting of
crimes and the protection of families”(par 84 ). Dishman said, “the cruise lines do not
disclose when a crime involves a minor”(par 87). As a parent, this information should be
disclosed to us. Dishman also stated,
“passengers deserve to know if children have been sexually abused in child
daycare centers and in their cabins on prior cruises”(par 87).
Parents
can be a part of the solution by protecting and watching our children carefully
while onboard cruise ships. According to the article “Security Tips While at
Sea”, “Be sure your children know to never accompany another passenger or crew
member to private areas of the ship”(par 8). So being mindful and alert helps
our children to be safe. “Security Tips
While at Sea”, also stated, “taking time to create a set of rules for your
family prior to setting out for your trip can help keep everyone safe” (par 7).
This should always include our teenagers too. Our teenagers can tend to want
some independence during vacation. “Be sure to set up curfews and periodic
check-in times with your children if you allow them to go off on their own”,
said “Security Tips While at Sea” (par 8).
This can help parents or guardians have more control of their teenagers’
whereabouts while on cruise ships.
Anything can happen in a brief moment.
According to Senate Hearing, “The Cruise Passenger Protection Act:
Improving Consumer Protections For Cruise Passengers”, Phil Gerson, a lawyer for a 15 year old autistic
teenager said, “on the last night of the cruise, the teen activities ended
early, but no one told her parents, and she was gullibly led away by a sexual
predator to his stateroom, where she was brutally raped and attacked by a
juvenile and an adult male”(par 39). So
the need to always know your child’s whereabouts is vital while cruising.
The
other mentioned solution would include being mindful while enjoying one another
whether eating or drinking but always in the presence of friends and family.
Also, making ourselves aware of “our rights” can be for our own benefit. When
we are aware of our rights, then if an unforeseen tragedy occurs knowing what
can and should be done can help. Another
example of a cruise ship crime was mentioned in the Senate Hearing, “The Cruise
Passenger Protection Act: Improving Consumer Protections For Cruise Passengers”, by Senator Blumenthal from
Connecticut, “George Smith IV vanished, literally disappeared, sometime
overnight going into July 4 of nine years ago” (par 152), he also said, “it is
a grievous reminder that the rights of people who suffer as victims of crime
while at sea are completely inadequately protected” (par 153).
Could
it be that the cruise ship crimes epidemic is a result of some humans having no
conscience about the things they may do to or at others? This epidemic in the eyes of some who believe,
like Camus that, “life had no meaning”(Maguire1), could prove their philosophy
correct. So the results of living in a world full of crime and hate could make
such philosophy in no way absurd to those who believe it is.
Many who commit these crimes have the mentality that the human life has no
value. Some may very well agree that
mentality is absurd.
So
cruise ship crimes have had an adverse effect on many, not just the passengers.
These crimes have impacted the lives of families whose loved ones were
victimized or never seen again. The problem even affects the actual criminal
investigation involved when a cruise ship crime occurs. Safety measures and
laws can help to hold those in authority more accountable and liable in
preventing crimes from occurring on international waters. If these safety
measures and laws are not implemented to halt the increase in the criminal
activity that occurs in this industry, then this problem may very well remain
an epidemic.
Cruisefinder.www.hl-cruises.com/cruise-with-us/our-history/from-1891-to-today
“Cruise
Ships and Liability”.HG.org. www.hg.org/legal-articles/cruise-ships-and-liability-39001
“Cruise Ships: Security tips While at
Sea”.GlobalSecurityExperts.www.globalsecurityexperts.com
Grace, Michael L. “The Prinzessin Victoria Luise – world’s first cruise ship”.
2009July13.www.cruiselinehistory.com/tag/first-cruise-ship/
Maguire,
Laura. “Camus and Absurdity”.27February2015.www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity
Rodrigue, Dr. Jean-Paul.,et al. “The
cruise Industry”.www.transportgeography.org/?page_id=7055
Scavella, Nico. “Govt Should Be Concerned at Cruise Line’s Worries”.www.tribune242.com/news/2017/mar/09/govt-should-be-concerned-cruise-lines-worries/
Segal, Barri. “These Are the Weird Cruise Ship Crimes You Never Knew About”.
2018June09.www.cheatsheet.com/culture/these-are-the-weird-cruise-ship-crimes-you-never-knew-about.html/
“The
Cruise Passenger Protection Act: Improving Consumer Protections For Cruise Passengers”.Washington.2014.[Senate
Hearing 113-488]www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-113shrg91521/html/CHRG-113shrg91521.htm
Thompson, Kaylee, “This is how to prevent cruise ship Disasters”. 2014March03. www.popularmechanics.
Walker,
Jim. “2015 Bahamas Crime Report: Armed
Robbery and Sexual Assaults Increasing”.
2015February23.https://www.cruiselawnews.com/tags/bahamas-crime/
Walker, Jim. “How do cruise ships handle crimes on board?
Who investigate crimes? Who has jurisdiction?”.Quora.26January2011updated.www.quora.com/How-do-cruise-ships-handle-crimes-on-board-Who-investigates-crimes-Who-has-jurisdiction
Walker, Jim.”Top 10 Most Dangerous Cruise Destinations in the World”.2014April21. www.cruiselawnews.com/2014/04/articles/crime/top-10-most-dangerous-cruise-destinations-in-the-world/
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