Security

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members go to great lengths to ensure the security of its passengers, crew, ships and maintain compliance with all regulations. Cruise ships are safe and secure environments with trained, 24-hour security personnel. Over the past two decades, an estimated 90 million passengers have enjoyed a safe cruise vacation. In the rare instance of an allegation of crime, member lines follow comprehensive policies and procedures. These policies are working. In fact, in 2007 the U.S. Coast Guard testified before the U.S. Congress that these policies are working well and that there is "no data to suggest that crime on cruise ships is more prevalent or sever than in any other vacation venue." (Coast Guard testimony)

Serious crime aboard cruise ships is rare, however, even one incident is one too many. The industry has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to crime. As required by law (33 CFR 120.100, 120.220 and recent legislation signed by President Obama), CLIA member lines report allegations of crime occurring in U.S. waters or on a vessel operating to and form a U.S. port to appropriate law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI. We also worked with the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard to agree upon a mechanism we're using today to report all alleged crimes involving U.S. citizens anywhere while at sea regardless of ship registration.

When an alleged crime is reported, CLIA member lines' trained security personnel handle such situations with professionalism and follow established procedures that include detaining suspects and, if appropriate, securing a crime scene. Our security personnel have all received training on crime scene preservation from FBI Agents and a FBI-training DVD developed specifically for the cruise industry. If an alleged crime is sexual in nature, medical professionals on board have sexual assault evidence collection kits and are trained in their proper use. We are also working with the Sexual Assault Resource Service to expand current training on sexual assault evidence collection. All policies and procedures are well-established, but we also constantly review and update them, keeping our guests' safety and security top of mind.

Since cruise ships operate in a controlled environment, access can be strictly enforced. All passengers, crew, carry-on baggage and luggage are inspected prior to boarding. CLIA member lines maintain an official manifest for each ship, which includes everyone on board a cruise ship, all officers, staff and crew, as well as all guests. Both passengers and crew may embark or disembark only after passing through a security checkpoint.

All crew undergo rigorous pre-employment background screening. In addition, foreign nationals who work on ships that sail into U.S. ports are required to meet the legal obligations of a seamen's visa, as set forth by the U.S. State Department

CLIA member lines work in close cooperation with international and federal agencies regarding shipboard safety issues, including piracy. CLIA members maintain an extensive network of intelligence gathering among government and private sources. Based upon this monitoring, the cruise line industry is constantly assessing this information and any potential risks for member lines. CLIA members have thorough security protocols in place and follow international guidelines concerning regular contact with military forces to ensure ship and passenger safety.

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