A new law was recently passed requiring cruise ships to implement new procedures in order to protect its passengers from the victims of a crime or injury. Although the cruise industry has already voluntarily adopted some of these precautions, the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2010 makes many of these injury preventing measures requirements. Nevertheless, some critics have derided the law stating the requirements are burdensome.
So, what are some of these supposedly "onerous" requirements. Here is just a small sampling of the new requirements:
(1) the installation and maintenance of video surveillance cameras,
(2) the staffing of medical personnel trained in responding to victims of alleged sexual assault,
(3) the publication of crime statistics for each cruise line, and
(4) all new cruise ships must install security latches and time-sensitive key technology in staterooms.
How are these measures considered a burden? They simply ensure the safety of passengers and serve to hopefully prevent them from becoming victims of crimes. This is certainly not a burden, but a blessing. A greater burden is having to deal with the physical, psychological, and emotional effects of becoming a victim.
With these measures now in place, passengers can cruise with a greater sense of security. Certainly, the cruise industry will have to pay to implement these new requirements.
However, what critics fail to realize is that increased safety may result in increased bookings, especially in light of some of the bad publicity cruise ships have been receiving as of late. In turn, more money will flow to cruise company coffers. This law is simply a win-win situation for both passengers and the cruise industry.
If you, or a loved one, have been injured while aboard a cruise then please contact our office to discuss your legal rights. We do not charge for the initial consultation, and if we don't make a recovery on your behalf then you do not owe us attorney fees. Call us today.
