Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/2270

 124 STAT. 2244 PUBLIC LAW 111–207—JULY 27, 2010 during ocean voyages because cruise line companies do not make comprehensive, crime-related data readily available to the public. (9) Obtaining reliable crime-related cruise data from governmental sources can be difficult, because multiple coun- tries may be involved when a crime occurs on the high seas, including the flag country for the vessel, the country of citizen- ship of particular passengers, and any countries having special or maritime jurisdiction. (10) It can be difficult for professional crime investigators to immediately secure an alleged crime scene on a cruise vessel, recover evidence of an onboard offense, and identify or interview potential witnesses to the alleged crime. (11) Most cruise vessels that operate into and out of United States ports are registered under the laws of another country, and investigations and prosecutions of crimes against pas- sengers and crewmembers may involve the laws and authorities of multiple nations. (12) The Department of Homeland Security has found it necessary to establish 500-yard security zones around cruise vessels to limit the risk of terrorist attack. Recently piracy has dramatically increased throughout the world. (13) To enhance the safety of cruise passengers, the owners of cruise vessels could upgrade, modernize, and retrofit the safety and security infrastructure on such vessels by installing peep holes in passenger room doors, installing security video cameras in targeted areas, limiting access to passenger rooms to select staff during specific times, and installing acoustic hailing and warning devices capable of communicating over distances. SEC. 3. CRUISE VESSEL SECURITY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. (a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 35 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘§ 3507. Passenger vessel security and safety requirements ‘‘(a) VESSEL DESIGN, EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND RETRO- FITTING REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each vessel to which this subsection applies shall comply with the following design and construction standards: ‘‘(A) The vessel shall be equipped with ship rails that are located not less than 42 inches above the cabin deck. ‘‘(B) Each passenger stateroom and crew cabin shall be equipped with entry doors that include peep holes or other means of visual identification. ‘‘(C) For any vessel the keel of which is laid after the date of enactment of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010, each passenger stateroom and crew cabin shall be equipped with— ‘‘(i) security latches; and ‘‘(ii) time-sensitive key technology. ‘‘(D) The vessel shall integrate technology that can be used for capturing images of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the extent that such technology is available.