As we have been reporting for a long time now – there IS is a problem of crime on cruise ships. But thanks to the efforts of Kendall Carver and the International Cruise Victims Association, there has been some movement in the right direction in protecting cruise passengers.
Major legislation is in the process of being passed; already having passed in the House in November by a vote of 416 to 4. In addition to passengers that have been victims of sexual crimes, robberies and disappearance, other victims have included those that purchased Art onboard of cruise ships.
The truth is that the strict auction regulations that stop the scams of auctioneers on land do not apply outside the three mile limit of United States Court jurisdiction, which means that cruise passengers are often sitting targets, many of whom know very little about art or the artists. Evaluations can be highly exaggerated, with no written guarantee authenticity.
Park West Gallery, for example, was accused by the The Fine Arts Registry, which devotes part of its Web site to exposing fraud and deception in the art world, of selling overpriced, forged and fraudulent artwork to unsuspecting customers during auctions aboard cruise ships.
A jury in Port Huron awarded $500,000 to Global Fine Arts Registry and its founder, Theresa Franks.
There are currently more than five class action lawsuits against cruise ship art auctions and more than 40 official complaints against cruise ship art auctions.
Buyer beware!
I wouldn't touch those art auctions at sea - why would you?
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