Congresswoman Richardson Votes To Improve The Safety Of Cruise Ship Patrons And Staff

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson acted to give cruise ship patrons and employees improved safety and peace of mind by voting for the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 (H.R. 3360). The legislation, which passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives by a 416 to 4 vote, is designed to improve in existing cruise ship safety regulations.

"This bill is a major progress for preventing crimes on cruise ships, providing adequate on board healthcare access and ensuring that those who commit crimes on these vessels are brought to justice," Congresswoman Richardson said. "With hundreds of cruises per year, including those from Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and the Magical Cruise Co., going in and out of the Port of Long Beach's Long Beach Cruise Terminal, in our area this is a topic that hits close to home for me and my fellow area residents. As a member of the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which was responsible for managing and presenting on this bill to the House, I am hopeful from the discussions and work that took place there that the provisions included in the bill will improve the safety and health of both those who are enjoying cruises for recreation and those who work on the ships."

The safety and security provisions required by the bill include installing peepholes on doors, increasing video surveillance and keeping better records of incidents that do occur. The bill also ensures that a sufficient number of physicians are aboard every ship and that ships have appropriate and up-to-date supplies of anti-retroviral medications.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California's 37th Congressional District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill.

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