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News Flash
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News Flash
Facts About
Cruise Ship Safety and Security
March 27, 2007
| The highest
priority of the cruise industry is the safety and security of its
passengers and crew. With more than 12 million vacationers cruising each
year, the cruise lines take every appropriate measure to ensure that
their guests have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
While people are far safer on
board a cruise ship than in virtually any community in the United
States, on rare occasions, incidents may happen. On March 27, CLIA will
testify before Congress on the outstanding safety and security record of
the cruise industry. With heightened media coverage on cruise ship
safety and security, we wanted to provide you with information so that
if you do hear concerns regarding safety and security from your
customers, you can answer them confidently.
Cruising remains one of
the safest vacations available, with an outstanding record of safety and
security. In fact, when compared with the FBI's land-based crime
statistics in the United States, cruise passengers are much safer on
board a cruise ship than ashore.
While instances of crime
on board cruise ships are rare, it is important that whenever traveling
to be observant of one's possessions and surroundings at all times.
Cruise passengers are reminded of this, as they are in any hotel, by
safety information, daily bulletins, port visit briefings and the
provision of a room safe or safety deposit box. In the event of an
incident, the cruise industry takes all allegations and incidents very
seriously, reports them to the proper authorities and fully cooperates
in any investigation. In many instances, cruise lines do not publicly
disclose detailed information to comply with directions from law
enforcement and out of respect for privacy.
Additionally,
professionals at CLIA-member travel agencies can reassure clients by
sharing the following information:
- Cruise ships are
comparable to secure buildings with 24-hour security. Every person
on board a cruise ship, from the captain to the cleaning staff and
all guests, are placed on official manifests. When sailing to or
from U.S. ports, these manifests are provided to U.S. federal law
enforcement officials prior to the ship's departure.
- Guests should be very
comfortable with the security measures they see during their cruise
vacation. These include the screening of 100 percent of all luggage,
carry-on's and provisions coming onto our ships. Screening is done
with X-ray machines, metal detectors and human and detector dog
searches.
- Passengers and crew
may embark or disembark only after passing through security. Once a
ship is underway, access is strictly limited to documented employees
and fare-paying passengers.
- Each passenger is
issued an identification card which contains their digital photo and
personal identification information on a magnetic strip that he or
she must present when entering or leaving the ship. This technology
allows the ship to know which guests and crew members are on board
and which are not.
- Each cruise ship has
a dedicated security officer and staff whose sole function is the
security of its passengers and crew. Typically, security staff
personnel have former law enforcement or military background and are
trained according to international security regulations.
- Foreign crew members
on CLIA ships are required to obtain a visa issued by the U.S. State
Department for entry into the United States. This visa requires the
completion of a background check. In addition, cruise ship employees
are pre-screened by recruiting agencies.
- Cruise lines operate
within a legal framework under which international, federal and
state authorities investigate crimes on board cruise ships. Unlike
most instances of shore side crime, the FBI has the authority to
investigate and prosecute alleged crimes in international waters
involving Americans.
- The U.S. Coast Guard
has jurisdiction for inspection and enforcement of international
safety and security standards for all ships calling at U.S. ports.
In a 1995 study, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that cruising was
one of the safest modes of transportation available.
Cruising is among the most
popular vacation options in large part because of its excellent safety
record and the high level of quality service cruise ships provide. The
industry will continue to do its part to maintain a safe, secure and
healthy shipboard environment.
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TSA Announces
Refinements to Security Measures - Agency Adjusts Liquid Ban, Aviation
Threat Level Remains High
September 25, 2006
Source:
Press Office
-
Transportation Security Administration
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
announced today it is adjusting its total ban on liquids, gels and
aerosols effective Tuesday, September 26. There are two significant
changes: Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries (3
ounce or less) that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic,
zip-top bag through security checkpoints. Travelers may also bring
items, including beverages, purchased in the secure, boarding area
on-board the aircraft.
"After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the UK
investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are
safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said
Assistant Secretary for TSA Kip Hawley. "We have also taken additional
security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable
allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the
secure area onboard."
TSA will be enhancing security measures throughout the airport
environment, both visible and not visible to the traveling public.
Examples of these measures include: more random screening of employees,
additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more
rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained
security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation
techniques. It is unlikely that further adjustments to the ban on
liquids, gels and aerosols will be made in the near future.
The United States and United Kingdom (UK) have continued to work closely
together and have shared technical and threat information with partners
in Canada and the European Union (EU). These measures are being
simultaneously adopted in partnership with the Canadian government. The
UK and the EU are expected to consider similar changes in the coming
weeks.
Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said, "Today's
announcement represents a unified approach with our Canadian partners.
These are sustainable, common-sense adjustments that combined with
additional security measures throughout the airport will keep the
traveling public safe."
The U.S. Homeland Security threat level for aviation remains at Orange,
or high, and will not change at this time. This security regime will
apply to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports.
Travelers should, however, check with transportation security
authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S.
airports.
Existing exemptions including larger amounts of required medications,
baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared to
security officers at the entrance of the checkpoint for screening. For
additional information and travel tips, please read our information for
travelers.
Our Travelers
TSA first implemented the ban on all liquids, gels and aerosols on
August 10, after U.K. officials uncovered a terrorist plot involving
transatlantic flights bound for the United States.
Video clips of these new procedures and Assistant Secretary Hawley's
statement are available.
Assistant Secretary Hawley's Statement |
August 14, 2006,
Source:
www.tsa.gov
TSA Announces New
Security Procedures -- All Passengers to Remove Shoes & More
TSA
has changed security screening procedures at all
U.S.
airports,
banning liquids and gels at security checkpoints and aboard flights. This
means that you will not be permitted to bring any liquids or gels past the
screening checkpoint or on board, with a few exceptions. We will allow small
doses of liquid medications through the security checkpoint and
onboard airplanes, a slight adjustment from the original ban, which was
implemented on August 10.
We also now
require all
passengers to remove
their shoes so they may be x-rayed with their carry-on bags.
While we can not provide a comprehensive list of liquids that will and will not
be permitted on board, the primary exceptions to this rule are:
Laptop computers, cellular phones, iPods, and other portable electronic devices
are still allowed on board an aircraft. These items must still be screened at
the security checkpoint.
While baby formula, breast milk, and certain medications will be permitted past
the screening checkpoint and on board, please be aware that these items will be
subject to physical inspection. You will not be required to taste these liquids
in the presence of a security officer.
We suggest, to the fullest extent possible, that you pack all liquids and gels -
including shampoo, toothpaste, perfume, hair gel, suntan lotion and all other
items with similar consistency in your checked baggage to minimize any delays at
the screening checkpoint.
Some solid
or powdered cosmetics items are permitted past the checkpoint;
however, this is left to the discretion of the Security Officer. To minimize
delays and hassle, we recommend that you pack all cosmetics in your checked
baggage.
Beverages purchased in the boarding area (beyond the screening checkpoint) will
not be allowed on board, and must be consumed before boarding.
In
the event a Security Officer identifies a prohibited item in your baggage, you
will be required to either check that item with your checked baggage, or dispose
of it at the checkpoint.
These
polices apply to
ALL
domestic and international flights originating in the
United States, including flights to the
United Kingdom. For flights to the
United Kingdom, TSA security officers will
perform an additional physical inspection of all carry on baggage at the
departure gate. For all other flights random gate inspections will be
conducted.
Please note that for flights originating in the
United Kingdom, local policies regarding carry on
baggage will apply. These policies tend to be more stringent than
United States policy. You may wish to check with
you air carrier for additional details on
United Kingdom requirements.
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