Safety at Sea - Avoiding Crime

As much as cruises have become an ostensibly  safe and pleasant vacation option, it is important to understand that just as at any other holiday destination, care must be taken for one's own personal safety.

Though newspapers do not dwell on crime on cruise ships too much, it is important to be aware that it does exist, just as it does anywherre else in the world, and that one needs to be aware of one's own safety.

Important news and tips about cruise ship crime, cruise victims, and safety on a cruise ship can be found in the CRUISE SHIP SAFETY section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine.

Offering news, advice and tips about crime and safety on cruise ships, Prow’s Edge Cruise magazine tells the truth about cruise crime and the growing number of cruise victims.

The information in these “safety” pages aboard Prow’s Edge may just tell you some things you didn’t know before and may just help to keep you safe on your dream cruise. Knowledge is your biggest weapon against crime on a cruise ship.

Just some of the topics covered include:

• Top tips to avoid being a victim of a crime on a cruise ship

• What to do if you become a victim of a crime on a cruise ship

• High Seas Crimes (article)

• The truth about drug-facilitated sexual assault (article)

• International Cruise Victims Association

• Safety at Sea - did you know?

• Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act 2009

Safety at Sea - A view from Commander Mark Gaouette

Still on the subject of safety at sea, Prow's Edge presents a new View from the Bridge this time from Maritime security consultant to the Department of Homeland Security, and author of "Cruising for Trouble", Commander Mark Gaouette who offers his views about safety at sea.

An expert in this field, Commander Mark Gaouette (USNR -Ret.) was also Director of Security for Princess Cruises and Cunard Cruise Lines, where he oversaw the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Codes and the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulations on Princess cruise ships and port of calls worldwide.

He pioneered the deployment of the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRADs) on cruise ships to repel pirates.

Cdr. Gaouette is a former Special Agent of the State Department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS) and served as a Regional Security Officer (RSO) at five U.S. embassies including Moscow, Russia, Beirut, Lebanon and Sana'a, Yemen. As a reserve naval intelligence officer, he served with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In the latest View From the Bridge article "Cruising for Trouble" Cdr Mark Gaouette offers readers of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine his views on the true state of safety at sea

Cdr. Gaouette is the author of the book Cruising for Trouble: Cruise Ships as Soft Targets for Pirates, Terrorists, and Common Criminals published in March, 2010 by Praeger Publishing."

Like it or not, Crime at Sea IS a Problem

Did you know that every month there is at least one sexual assault on cruise passengers somewhere in the world?

And did you know that in 2009 alone there were more than 25 cases of passengers mysteriously going over board (which is more than two every month) – and that many of those cases have never been solved?

Given the number of passengers travelling on cruise ships every day these figures are not a tidal wave of horror, but, like it or not, crime at sea IS a problem and cruise passengers have to learn to be aware of this issue.

Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine tackles the problem head on in the expanded SAFETY AT SEA section of the web site and helps readers find out how to avoid becoming a victim of crime at sea and a few tips as to what do should you be a victim of crime at sea.

Prow’s Edge also takes a look at the truth about drug-facilitated sexual assault and at how the International Cruise Victims Association has had such an impact on establishing legislation to protect passengers at sea, the result of which is The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009.

The International Cruise Victims Association, speaking for the victims of crimes at sea and their families, continues to fight for more safety at sea, troubleshooting and pinpointing things of concern - such as the practice on some ships of offering unlimited drinks for one price, which is clearly a step towards excessive alcohol and related crimes.

For more information about the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) visit: http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

The information in the Prow’s Edge SAFETY AT SEA pages is not about spoiling your enjoyment of your cruise, or to sensationalize the issue, but to make you more aware of what is actually happening around you, how to make your vacation as safe as possible and how to cope with a stressful situation should it arise.