Newly Formed Cruise Ship Safety Group Gains Popularity

By Carol Kennedy

Published on January 31, 2006

The group was formed shortly after a congressional subcommittee hearing on cruise ship safety. The hearing was held in response to the suspicious disappearance of George A. Smith IV. Families of other missing passengers were present at the hearing, but were not allowed to testify.

Kendall Carver, one of the leaders of International Cruise Victims, stated that since the group was formed they have been "swamped with e-mails." Most of the e-mails are from rape and assault victims -- a more common occurrence aboard cruise ships than disappearances, according to some reports.

Mr. Carver's daughter has been missing for two years. She was last seen aboard a Celebrity Cruise Line ship bound for Alaska. Carver has been trying to connect with other families in similar situations.

Families of missing cruise ship passengers will be allowed to testify at a second hearing on March 7. Carver says the family members are eager to testify at the hearing and speak about the need to improve cruise ship safety and communication.

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