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Does it just apply to Americans?
Will it effect cruise ships registered in a non US country and operating away from the US to be a part of it?
I suppose it will not effect the smaller lines that do not have any US ownership.
To me it seems an impossibility to pass laws like this and enforce them on ships that are no where near the US.
I would imagine every cruise would follow this.
Frosty 4
[ 08-10-2010: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]
quote:Originally posted by Sutho:Does anyone know what the go is with this law???Does it just apply to Americans?Will it effect cruise ships registered in a non US country and operating away from the US to be a part of it?
It cannot be applied to foreign-owned, foreign-flag ships that do not operate in US waters, since the US congress has no jurisdiction.
It would apply to all US flag ships (if any) and all foreign flag ships operating out of US ports, or calling at US ports. It could possibly apply to US-owned, foreign flag ships not operating in US waters.
quote:Originally posted by Brian_O:It could possibly apply to US-owned, foreign flag ships not operating in US waters.
No this cannot US have no jurisdiction outside the US even if a ship is owned by a US company, but foreign flagged. The ship outside US waters have then the jurisdiction of the country of registration.
HAL ships American owned but registered in the Netherlands the ship is internationally recognized as a Dutch ship. The Dutch law is in place. I believe that even in US waters Dutch law is in place on board the ship. But have to apply to the laws of the US. If not the US have the right to reject the ship docking and not allow US passengers to sail.
Greetings Ben.
It seems pointless having a cruise ship operating nowhere near America, have to report to American authorities and their coast guard. One would assume that if a serious incident occured then the local authorities would be involved on the law enforcment of its registered flag.
quote:Originally posted by Sutho:So effectively all the major cruise lines to which the victims group wanted the law aimed at, it will not apply to. That means Carnival, RCL etc.
Much like foreign-flagged ships have to comply with CDC regulations for onboard sanitation when docking at US ports (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/desc/aboutvsp.htm), and foreign airlines have to comply with FAA laws and regulations when servicing US airports.
I don't see why there'd be any difference with this new law.
[ 08-11-2010: Message edited by: jsea ]
It seems well intentioned with guidelines such as railing height and peep holes.
Personally I cant see how the law could possibly work if cruising Europe like the Smith case on one of RCL's ships.
So it applies to all US ships, ANY ship that calls into a US port (both turn-around and transit) even if it is just 1 call, and any incident that involves an American.
"The bill requires any cruise ship that takes on or discharges passengers in U.S. ports and carries at least 250 passengers to comply with specific design and construction standards, meet the requirements of this bill no more than 18 months after the measure’s enactment."
quote:Originally posted by user999:That law may only be imposed to the ship for a short time while it is entering US port, embarking or disembarking passengers.
Do you think ships will remove saftey features after leaving US waters? If even they could do so, they would risk being arrested upon their return and/or being barred from US ports from that point. The cruise companies are in business to make money and what you suggest would be bad business practice.
[ 09-14-2010: Message edited by: Brian_O ]
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