Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Kerry proposes cruise ship safety legislation
Days after having chaired a subcommittee hearing on cruise ship passenger safety, Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, proposed legislation intended to make ships safer and hold the cruise line industry accountable.
Cruise ships, which operate under foreign flags of convenience, are not required under U.S. law to report crimes that occur outside of U.S. territorial waters. Kerry's legislation (S. 3204), introduced June 26, would require crimes aboard cruise ships to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI. The legislation also would require:
- A U.S.- licensed medical practitioner on every cruise ship
- Installation of 54-inch-tall guard rails, peep holes for crew cabin and passenger stateroom doors, security latches, and time-sensitive key technology
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