The Reality of Cruise Safety Issues

Passengers missing after winning large amounts at the cruise ship casino, robberies at knife point, sexual assaults and rapes, general assaults and even passengers overboard?



Sounds like the thriller you’re reading beside the pool as your ship heads to the next port of fun?



Well, it’s not!  This is not an excerpt from the latest best-selling novel - this is the truth about the other side of cruising that very few people know about.

Those who do know about it, victims and family members alike, have had their lives changed forever.

One of those family members is Ken Carver who founded the International Cruise Victims Association to support the families like his own who are victims of crimes, disappearances, and accidents aboard cruise ships.

With several hundred members, the organization advocates for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships, and provides support to victims of crimes occurring on cruise ships.

In an interview at TravelTalkRADIO, Ken Carver, President of the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) urged the public to become more informed about the issues, and to support the association in its efforts to make the cruise lines more accountable.

“We suggest that you contact your congressional people, take action,” he said, “because we are not proposing things that are really out of line. They would just make cruising safer and more fun for everybody.”

You can find the petition to improve safety on cruise ships at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CruiseSafety/index.html

Read more about this issue in Ken Carver’s own words as he shares his View From the Bridge at Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine

International Cruise Victims Association truly goes international

Representing the victims of crime on cruise ships, their families and friends, and those concerned about the problems of victimization and disappearances on cruise ships, the International Cruise Victims Association(ICV) is steadily growing and membership now reaches 20 countries around the world including the following:

Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, England, Ireland, Canada, Norway, Germany, Argentina, Chile, Finland, Holland, Italty, New Zealand, Mexico, New South Wales, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, and Sweden.

To meet the demands of this growing international membership, two of the Board Members are now from outside the United States – Michael Groves in England and Mark Brimble in Australia.

Michael Groves is taking on a leadership role in the EU to state the process of moving forward with legislation.

If you would like to support these new initiatives of the ICV, or if there is a need in your area please contact the ICV direct or Mark Brimble at markbrimble@internationalcruisevictims.org
or Michael Groves at michaelgroves@internationalcruisevictims.org

With Jamie Barnett now heading our ICV Corporation dealing with victim support, major efforts are being made toward that end as well. She, along with over ICV members, are attending special training programs to be better equipped to deal with all of the tragic cases that come to ICV on a regular basis. This includes missing person, sexual assaults, the treatment provided passengers who become ill, robberies, etc. The list goes on and on. They are also in the process of filling their calendars with conferences and speaking engagements throughout the U.S. which will help create public awareness and education.

One of the strengths that ICV has is its unique ability to support victims while maintaining the ability to speak as a unified group to make changes in an industry that has, for too long, gone its own way without anyone holding them accountable for their actions.

For more information about the ICV, visit their web site at www.internationalcruisevictims.org/ or take a look at the SAFETY section at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine that has information on the ICV and on many aspects of making sure you are safe at sea. Also, visit the Prow's Edge blog message boards about safety at sea at to learn even more and to share your own views.

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.