The Tribune

By RIEL MAJOR

Tribune Staff Reporter

rmajor@tribunemedia.net

ALLEGED sexual assault remains the most reported criminal activity on cruise ships, according to international statistics.

Data released in the United States under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), shows there were a total of 46 reported incidents from July 1 to September 30 - of which 35 were sexual assaults. Of these incidents, 27 involved passengers, five involved crew members and three more assaults were listed under the category ‘other’.

Carnival reported 20 sexual assault incidents involving passengers; one of a crew member and one assault was listed under other. Royal Caribbean recorded four passenger incidents, three involving crew and one listed under other. Norwegian reported three passenger involved incidents, while MSC reported one passenger sexual assault incident.

The numbers also show that during the specific time period, there were two reported incidents of alleged assault with serious bodily injury, two missing US national passengers were reported, two persons fired for tampering with the vessel and five incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000.

The statistics are published on the US Department of Transportation’s website.

This crime data is tracked for major cruise lines with routes to the Bahamas, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean.

Alleged criminal activities on board cruise ships have increased for the second quarter of 2019.

According to the CVSSA statistics, during the period of January 1 to March 31, there were a total of 25 reported incidents, 18 of which were sexual assaults.

The numbers also show that during the specified time period, there was one reported incident of alleged assault with serious bodily injury and six incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000.

During the period of October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 there were a total of 34 reported incidents, 22 of which were sexual assaults.

The numbers show that during that specified time period, there were two suspicious deaths; two assaults; and eight incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000.

Up to September 30, 2018 there were 86 incidents reported – 60 of which were for sexual assault.

In 2017, 76 percent of reported crimes aboard Carnival vessels were for sexual assault; as was 68 percent of crime reported on board Royal Caribbean vessels.

There was the same number of sexual assault incidents reported for that time period in 2017, out of 85 incidents. There was a total of 106 incidents reported for 2017.

In 2016, officials recorded 92 incidents with 62 of them being sexual assault.