Submitted by: Submitted by mbbritt0
Views: 828
Words: 7911
Pages: 32
Category: Business and Industry
Date Submitted: 03/28/2012 12:17 PM
Cruise Ship Crime 1
Running head: LEGAL ISSUES RELEVANT TO CRUISE SHIPS
A Qualitative Study of Victimization and
Legal Issues Relevant to Cruise Ships
Caitlin E. Burke
University of Florida
Cruise Ship Crime 2
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to conduct a qualitative study examining the litigation
process of U.S. citizens who were victims of crime while aboard a cruise ship. Data was
collected through interviews with female U.S. citizens who were victims of sexual assault. All
participants interviewed pursued litigation post assault, bringing claim against the cruise line
and/or assaulter. Interviews are intended to capture the most prevalent maritime laws used today.
Data was compared on a case-to-case basis, focused on court case outcome. Once data was
collected, comparisons were made and conclusions drawn as represented in the results. This
project does not encompass all of the laws and statutes applicable to the cruise line industry.
Cruise line corporations are registered under several foreign countries. The differing laws
amongst these countries affect which jurisdiction and subsequent laws apply. Maritime law is a
complex legal system that differs greatly from federal and state law. Laws intertwine in
international waters creating a sea of confusion with regard to which country is responsible for
crime reporting and prosecution. In particular, differences among cruise line contractual
agreements will often dictate different requirements in which to adhere. The laws discussed
throughout this project were found to be enforced in various cases involving U.S. citizens.
Cruise Ship Crime 3
A Qualitative Study of Victimization and
Legal Issues Relevant to Cruise Ships
Cruise Line History
Whether the disaster in 1912 or the 1997 blockbuster hit, Titanic is perhaps the
most well known and documented cruise of all time. However, the cruise industry today
is not associated with icebergs and disasters, but...