S 965 — Cruise Passenger Protection Act

Summary

Cruise Passenger Protection Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine whether any of the enumerated rights in the international cruise line passenger bill of rights (adopted by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association) is enforceable under federal law. The bill shall apply to passenger vessels that: (1) carry at least 250 passengers, (2) have sleeping facilities for each passenger, (3) are on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the United States, (4) are not engaged in coastwise trade, and (5) are not federal- or state-owned. The bill revises passenger vessel security and safety requirements concerning: (1) log book entries and reporting of deaths, missing individuals, thefts, and other crimes; and (2) placement, access to records, and notice of video surveillance equipment to monitor crime. The DOT, in coordination with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Department of Justice, and heads of other relevant federal agencies, shall study the feasibility of having an individual on board each passenger vessel to provide victim support and related safety and security services. The Maritime Administration shall certify organizations that offer the curriculum for training and certification of passenger vessel security personnel, crew members, and law enforcement officials on the appropriate methods for prevention, detection, evidence preservation, and reporting of crimes in international waters. The bill revises vessel design, equipment, construction, and retrofitting requirements. A peep hole or other means of visual identification shall be in the entry door of a passenger stateroom or crew cabin to provide an unobstructed view of the area outside the stateroom or crew cabin. Vessel owners shall ensure that a vessel is staffed at all times with appropriate medical staff to treat passengers on board. The Department of Homeland Security may withhold or revoke the clearance of, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may deny entry into the United States to, any vessel owner that: (1) commits an act or omission for which a penalty is imposed under this Act, or (2) fails to pay the penalty. The bill makes additional compensation recoverable for nonpecuniary damages (but not punitive damages) for deaths resulting from a passenger cruise ship accident occurring on the high seas beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html April 27, 2017

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new security and safety standards for cruise vessels, introduces new reporting requirements, and amends existing law concerning video surveillance on these vessels.

• Chapter 35

  SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

  A new subchapter for general provisions is added before section 3501.

• Chapter 35

  SUBCHAPTER II--CRUISE VESSELS

  A new subchapter specifically for cruise vessels is added before section 3507.

• Section 3523(g)(1)

  in a centralized location readily accessible to law enforcement personnel,

  Removes the requirement for log books to be located in a centralized location.

• Section 3523(g)(1)(B)

  make such log book available → make the log book and all entries therein available, whether the log book and entries are maintained on board the vessel or at a centralized location off the vessel,

  Expands the requirement to make log book entries available regardless of their location.

• Section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i)

  shall contact → subject to subparagraph (C), shall contact

  Adds a condition before the obligation to contact the FBI regarding incidents.

• Section 3523(g)(3)(A)(i)

  after the occurrence on board the vessel of an incident involving → , but not later than 4 hours, after an employee of the vessel is notified of an incident on board the vessel allegedly involving

  Changes the timing for contacting the FBI to within 4 hours of notification of an incident.

• Section 3523(g)(3)

  If an employee of a vessel to which this subchapter applies is notified of an incident described under subparagraph (A)(i) while the vessel is within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States and en route to a United States port or at a United States port, the owner of the vessel (or the owner's designee) shall contact the nearest Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office or Legal Attache within the time period specified under subparagraph (A)(i) or before the vessel departs port, whichever is earlier.

  Requires vessel owners to contact the FBI before departure if notified of certain incidents.

• Section 3523(g)(3)

  If an incident described under subparagraph (A)(i) allegedly involves an offense by or against a United States national, in addition to contacting the nearest Federal Bureau of Investigation Field Office or Legal Attache under that subparagraph, the owner of a vessel to which this subchapter applies (or the owner's designee) shall contact the United States consulate at the next port of call within the time period specified under subparagraph (A)(i).

  Adds a requirement to notify U.S. consulates if incidents involve U.S. nationals.

• Section 3523(c)(1)(A)

  a guide (referred to in this subsection as the `security guide') → a security guide

  Changes the phrasing around the definition of 'security guide' for clarity.

• Section 3523(b)(1)

  The owner → (A) In general.--The owner

  Reformats the section to clarify that the owner must maintain video surveillance equipment.

• Section 3523(b)

  The owner of a vessel to which this subchapter applies shall provide clear and conspicuous signs on board the vessel notifying the public of the presence of video surveillance equipment.

  Mandates that vessels notify passengers of video surveillance.

• Section 3523(b)(4)

  The owner of a vessel to which this subchapter applies shall retain all records of video surveillance for a voyage for not less than 30 days after the completion of the voyage.

  Establishes retention requirements for video surveillance records.

Action History

1. April 27, 2017

   Introduced in Senate

2. April 27, 2017

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsors

• Edward J. Markey · Cosponsor
• Richard Blumenthal · Primary

Subjects