FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 3, 2014        

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Applauds House Passage of Important Cruise Passenger Safety Provision

Bill includes language from Rep. Matsui’s Cruise Passenger Protection Act requiring improvements to crime statistics website

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives voted in a bipartisan fashion to pass a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that includes a key provision ensuring the public has access to important safety information they need prior to booking a cruise.  This provision was one of several cruise passenger safety provisions included in legislation Congresswoman Matsui introduced last year, the Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA).

The bill language passed today transfers the responsibility for maintaining the cruise vessel crime data website from the Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation and requires a number of changes to ensure the website is user-friendly and includes all important data.  Specifically, it requires the website to be updated quarterly and sorted by cruise line.  The website will be required to identify each cruise line by name, identify each crime committed or allegedly committed by a passenger or crewmember regardless of the status of the investigation, and identify the number of individuals alleged overboard.

“This is an important victory for cruise safety advocates and for the millions of Americans who have taken a cruise or are considering one in the future.  While cruise ships are billed as safe, family-friendly vacations, the reality is that crime happens onboard these ships just as it does anyplace else,” said Congresswoman Matsui.  “Today’s passage of this key provision from the Cruise Passenger Protection Act will ensure that anyone considering a cruise can easily view a more accurate number of crimes that occurred on each cruise line, and the nature of the crime.  This is a huge step forward toward transparency and ensuring the safety of cruise passengers.”

This legislation will now be taken up by the Senate, where it is expected to pass easily.

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, requiring the cruise industry to comply with a number of security and crime reporting provisions.  Last year, she introduced the CPPA, legislation which would build on the passenger safety measures put in place by the CVSSA by clarifying and strengthening the crime reporting and video surveillance requirements.  In addition to requiring the website improvements passed today, this legislation bolsters FBI notification requirements when an alleged incident occurs, and strengthens video surveillance requirements to ensure maximum protection for passengers and victims, while taking steps to avoid privacy concerns.

“Today’s action by the House is an important step for ensuring the safety of cruise passengers, but it is just a step.  I will be reintroducing the Cruise Passenger Protection Act next Congress to ensure we continue to build upon the security and safety measures aboard our cruise ships, that consumers have access to accurate information, and that victims are given the support and resources they need and deserve,” added Matsui.

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