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

Something to be Proud About

The historic day last month when President Obama signed Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.)’s Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act into law is a day that The International Cruise Victims Association, Inc. (ICV) can be proud of.

The non-profit corporation formed by victims and families of victims of cruise crimes is the prime reason that the new law has finally emerged and it demonstrates that a group of victims with limited funding can come together and make changes to affect an industry. The photo here shows the ICV lobbying team (including Kendall Carver – President ) at the Capitol.

After almost 5 years of existence, this group now has members in 16 different countries with a separate chapter in Australia.

Says Kendall Carver, "Hopefully this process will serve as a model for others that become victims of crimes, so that they can join together and make a difference."

The new law will increase security, law enforcement, and accountability on cruise ships in international waters. More details are at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine's Summary of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009.

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

More Success for the International Cruise Victims Association

Crime and death at sea is not happy topic for those of us looking for news and information about taking a cruise - but as we keep saying in the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine - Safety at Sea pages - it's not about obsessing about the gory details: it's about being informed and learning that we can avoid the dangers and actually work together to make the cruise vacation the safe and secure option it ought to be.

And no one works more tirelessly with this in mind than Kendall Carver, President of the International Cruise Victims Association, who has today announced the success of years of activism in bringing about changes in legislation that are designed to change the law so that passengers are more safe at sea and have more rights in following up the unfortunate situation should they become victims of crime at sea.

Details of the latest developments can be found at the latest Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine news item "International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) brings about landmark changes for victims who die at sea".

A sobering thought for those of us who might still want to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that this is not a problem we need to be aware of can be found in the latest petition from the ICV that highlights in a very sobering way that this not a problem we can ignore.

For more information about the International Cruise Victims Association, please visit www.internationalcruisevictims.org or contact Kendall Carver at Kcarver17@cox.net or phone 602 852 5896 or 602 989 6752

For more information about the issues of safety at sea and the legislation surrounding this, take a look at the unique Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine section about Safety and Crime at Sea

Art Fraud on Cruises - Beware

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!

New Book about Safety on Cruise Ships

Following our many posts about safety at sea, and our SAFETY AT SEA section at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine, news comes now from the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) telling us that ICV Board Member, Commander Mark Gaouette, has had a major book released entitled Cruising for Trouble.

Mark was the former head of Security for Princess Cruise Lines and now serves as a top maritime security official in the Department of Homeland Security.

His book details the many security defects and vulnerabilities of cruise ships, identifies the remedies, and makes the case for their urgent implementation.

Extensively documented and illustrated, Cruising for Trouble exposes the acute vulnerability of cruise ships to piracy, terrorism, and crime, both on the high seas and in domestic and foreign ports-of-call.

Commander Gaouette reveals to cruise passengers the very real security dangers they unwittingly face when they saunter up the gangway of a cruise ship for a carefree holiday.

As we have said many times here at Prow’s Edge, the issue of safety at sea is largely ignored by most cruise publications, and we at Prow’s Edge do not highlight the topic for sensationalism, but because we feel that by being better informed, cruise passengers are more safe.

Commander Gaoutte recounts many actual examples of cruise-ship insecurity that have been swept under the carpet or spun by the cruise industry, from pirate attacks, fires, onboard crime, mass food poisonings and infections, and the mysterious disappearances of cruise-ship passengers.

Commander Caouette’s new book is just another warning sound on the cruise industry horizon for cruise passengers to be aware of what is really going on, and to take measures to be safe.

A must read for anyone thinking of taking a cruise, visit www.greenwood.com or call 1-800-368-6868 to order.

For more about how to be safe at sea, take a look at the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine pages on safety at sea, including Things You Can Do To Improve Your Safety At Sea

For more information about the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) please visit their web site at www.internationalcruisevictims.org

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.

Telling it as it is - Booze and Sex - A Recipe for Crimes at Sea

The International Cruise Victims Association (ICV), ever the voice for victims of crime on cruise ships, has often talked about the dangers of alcohol on a cruise, and the Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine advice page on How to avoid becoming a victim of crime at sea points out the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption on cruises.

Cruise line concepts such as offering unlimited drinks for one price on certain cruise ships is another red flag for the International Cruise Victims Association who warn, “Excess alcohol is often involved in certain crimes”.

Another cause for concern is the new cruise line concept of offering what's being marketed as "Cougar" cruises, in which older women look to have sexual relations with younger men.

Put the two together, alcohol and encouragement for sex - and you’re looking at a recipe for disaster. The latest forum entry at the Prow's Edge Massage Boards, from forum member “Cruiser Lady” tells us that this is not just a negatively thinking theory. (Cruiser Lady gave her permission for us to highlight her post, and in fact, encouraged us to do so, saying: “Maybe this will get through to people!”)

If you have a story to tell that may help other passengers to see the dangers of being “unaware” on a cruise, please visit the Prow’s Edge forum / message boards at http://www.prowsedge.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=91&p=268#p268 register and and post your opinion.

For more about crimes at sea, including the truth about drug-facilitated sexual assault, visit the SAFETY AT SEA pages at www.prowsedge.com/cruises-safety-at-sea.html

If you would like more information about the International Cruise Victims Association, please visit their web site at www.internationalcruisevictims.org

SUPPORT NEEDED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRUISE VICTIMS ASSOCIATION

Our blog team has brought you the news about the struggle for safety at sea and the push for critical legislation for the safety of Americans on board cruise ships. Our Safety at Sea section of Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine showcases the issues involved, and tells you more about Kendall Carver and the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV).

If it had not been for the efforts of Kendall Carver and the ICV, and members who have traveled to Washington and performed other services (often paying their own expenses) to promote the ICV cause, cruise passengers today would not be able to look forward to a safer cruise experience for all of us.

Now the ICV needs our help and contributions.

ICV is a 100% volunteer organization and 100% of donation will go toward the work of the organization.

Any donation ($25 dollars or more) will be helpful and is tax deductible since ICV qualifies as a 501 C3. Also, if your employer has a matching gift program, please let us know. Or to help enable their work with legislators, please consider making a separate contribution to help defray the lobbying expenses on behalf of ICV.

Says Kendall Carver, President of the ICV, "This coming year will be most important as we move to actually finalize passage of our legislation in the U.S. Senate to change the cruise line
industry. At that point in time, our work will just begin. Some of our members are already starting this process in other countries."

MAKE YOUR DONATIONS HERE at http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/Donations.html – or send a check to:

INTERNATIONAL CRUISE VICTIMS
704 228th Avenue NE - PMB
525, Sammamish WA 98074 USA

More information about the ICV can be found at their web site at http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY AT SEA

Yesterday was an important day in the history of safety at sea for cruise passengers. USA Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) joined with 385 colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, requiring cruise lines to report all crimes aboard cruise ships to both the United States Coast Guard and the FBI.

With yesterday’s passage of this critical legislation, Americans on board cruise ships are many steps closer to the safety and protection they deserve.

The measure approved today is a major victory in the fight for cruise passengers’ rights. International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) President Kendall Carver expressed his hopeful outlook as the legislation has been approved by committee in the Senate.

“Adoption of this bill," he said, "would be proof to the world that our small group of volunteers with limited funds has been able to make a difference in the safety of Americans. When the Cruise Safety legislation is signed into law, it will serve to protect Americans across the nation during what ought to be relaxing vacations.”

For more news on this important milestone visit http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-news-ICV.html and for more details about the International Cruise Victims Association (ICV) visit http://www.internationalcruisevictims.org/

For information for cruise passengers about the issue of safety at sea, visit the Prow's Edge section on safety at sea at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-safety-at-sea.html for complete guide to Safety at Sea, The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009, High Seas Crimes, and Sexual Assault at sea.