Last week, the United States government Senate voted unanimously to require the sail industry make their ship and sail safer. The International Cruise victim association , a champion of sail safety, has hailed the statute law and declared “Victory!”

I’m more reserved about the legislation. Most of the new rules are Born out of common sense, and are excellent, but I see two major lingering problems with the legislation which I believe are easy to fix.

The Senate version of sail Vessel security and safety Act of 2009, is slightly different from that passed by the United States government House of Representatives, so it will be going to a conference committee, to Fe out the details It’s expected to reach and be signed by the President, soon.

Once law, cruise lines will be required to equip all stateroom doors with cheep hole and safety latches. hotel have been victimisation these devices for a long time. “Time sensitive” engineering stateroom keys, used even by the least expensive hotel for years, will also be required.

Ships will have to use the latest technology to detect passengers falling overboard, including capturing mental image of the incidents, and they would be required to be up-to-date with US coast guard fire safety regulations.

A difference between the two bill is the guard rail demand The House version telephone telephone phone call for rail at a tallness of 42” above the deck , while the senate version is 54”. group including the ICV pushed for the higher railings. The House version is based on OHSA’s 1926.502 42” requirement.

In my July, 2008 article, Is United States US Congress doing enough make sail passengers safe? I wrote about the guard rail requirement. I continue to believe the 42” demand is correct. The Senate railing tallness would block passengers’ view of the sea while sitting on deck, and make it difficult for many to pedestal and scan the sea, or take photographs.

More important, I believe the spear carrier foot of the senate requirement will encourage risky behavior, such as rider dangerously standing on chair and tables, at the railing, to get a better aspect I’ve already seen that behaviour on ship which have higher rail in some areas.

I think the unintended result of the senate requirement will more than outweigh its positive attributes, and I call on the senate to accept the House requirement.

I also telephone call on Congress to add missing rail requirements to require ship include enough addition railings. and or barriers between the top rail and the deck to preclude children from going overboard under the railings.

Cruise lines will be required to create and implement process and restrictions for crew member access to passengers’ staterooms, and when admittance is permitted. They must develop a plan to ensure the rule are followed.

To armed combat crime, ship will be required to maintain picture surveillance, almost ship-wide,  to assist in law-breaking documentation, and prosecution. Requirements for the keeping of the picture will be determined by the coast Guard.

Cruise lines will have to provide a Criminal activity Prevention and response Guide to each passenger, describing the ship’s medical checkup exam examination and security personnel on board to prevent and respond to criminal and medical exam examination situations, describing the process and rights for passengers with regard to crime, and explaining what law enforcement is available to them, for the most serious crimes, and other offenses. To date, many crime victims have reported it was impossible for them to find out what their right were, and to get outside help.

The statute law take causa of sexual assault seriously. ship will be required to have supplies of anti-retroviral and other medication designed to prevent sexually transmitted disease after a sexual assault They will be required to employ and have on board medical examination force trained to deal with such assaults. They will be required to carry “rape kits” on board to assistance in the apprehension and conviction of the culprit of such crimes.

Cruise lines will finally be required to record and disclose all passenger ill of all crimes. to law enforcement officers. specifically including crimes of violence, and thefts valued in surplusage of $1,000. Hopefully other country will pass similar legislation, as this only applies to ships on ocean trip which embark or disembark passenger in the US.

The law will require ships’ force to preserve crime scenes for appropriate law enforcement officers. The sail lines will be required to railroad train ships’ security in crime scene preservation This is critical to help to bring malefactor to justice.

Reviewing the story of ICV victims, and others in the news, it would appear that many ship board incidents involve excessive drinking, and other risky behaviors, which many believe were in part driven by imbibing dipsomaniac beverages.

In Keystone State it’s illegal to sell dipsomaniac potable to a somebody who is visibly or obviously intoxicated. Those who service the intoxicated are held responsible for their actions while drunk. I have seen sail ship force service obviously rummy people often. I have seen sail passengers lurch down ships’ hall and decks.

If we really want to make sail ships safer, the sail lines must be held accountable for continuing to serve intoxicated people more liquor.

I call for United States Congress to include a “dram shop” ordinance similar to the one in Pennsylvania. I believe this is the one essential requirement which could make passengers considerably safer, notably missing from the electric current legislation.