Part 1 of 2: Peril in Cruise Paradise?!

NEW UPDATE: Yesterday the Coast Guard made a statement saying, "Smith's body will probably never be found."  So much for "trying".  There are devices called sonars, radars, etc.  It's done all the time.  I pray for that poor family.

San Juan, Puerto Rico-- The FBI is investigating the disappearance of Brent Smith, 24, of Fremont, N.C., from a cruise ship sailing through the Bahamas.  Smith was last seen around 1:45 a.m. Monday on his stateroom balcony aboard the Freedom of the Seas.  Relatives reported him missing around 8:30 a.m., according to a cruise ship statement.


The ship turned around at that point to search the ocean waters for Smith, who was traveling with his brother, Matthew Smith, and his brother's girlfriend. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for Smith on Wednesday, saying he likely won't be found.


The ship docked Wednesday in Puerto Rico so that FBI experts could determine whether foul play was involved.  A spokesperson declined to say whether agents retrieved any evidence from Smith's cabin or other areas.


Cruise lines reported at least 24 missing people from 2000 to 2005, compared with the estimated 10 million passengers that travel every year. The cruise industry has entered into a new formal but voluntary agreement with the FBI and the Coast Guard to report any serious crimes committed on board cruises.

"According to the FBI, cruise ships are not required to report violations of U.S. law outside U.S. waters, 12 miles offshore, but under the new agreement they would do so immediately.According to the FBI, cruise ships are not required to report violations of U.S. law outside U.S. waters, 12 miles offshore, but under the new agreement they would do so immediately.

A briefing prepared by staff of the House Transportation committee for the hearing described current record-keeping on cruise ship crime as spotty. It noted that the FBI does not keep data on the total number of alleged crimes reported on cruise lines but only on cases for which it opens files 50 to 60 per year. The FBI said that under its new agreement with cruise lines, it will keep track of all crime reports." (Source)

 

READ PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE HERE

 

Sarah Alexander - Massachusetts


On September 25, 2005, I boarded the Norwegian Cruise Line ?Majesty?, as a solo passenger for a 7-day cruise from Boston to Bermuda. From September 26th thru October 1st, I was repeatedly hit on by my Cabin Steward. On the final day of my cruise, October 2nd, the Cabin Steward assaulted me.  Read More.


Ashley Barnett - California - (Updated March 2007)


On October 14, 2005, my daughter, Ashley Barnett, her boyfriend, and two other couples, boarded Carnival Cruise Line?s Paradise in Long Beach, California for a 3-day cruise to celebrate her 25th birthday. Less than twenty-four hours later, Ashley was dead. Read More.


Dianne Brimble - Australia


For two years, Dianne had saved to take a cruise around the South Pacific. Although she was the mother of three, she was only able to save enough to take her youngest daughter, Tahlia, with her on the trip of a lifetime.  Read More.


Kimberly (Dean) Edwards - West Virginia


On October 18th, 2004, my fiance and I boarded Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Sea, our first cruise in celebration of my 40th birthday. After only two days aboard the ship, everything went terribly wrong. Read More.


Laurie Dishman - California


My best friend, Michelle, and I decided to celebrate our thirty-year friendship. I have known her since I was five years old, and so we thought, How about going on a cruise together? . . . But little did I know of the dangers that awaited me.  Read More.


Chantal Hopkins - California


Two Children Sexually Assaulted by a Carnival Cruise Line Employee. In July 2004, on the last night aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, our cabin steward called the cabin occupied by our 13-year old daughter and her 12-year old friend. The two 18-year old girls, who were also sharing the same cabin, had gone dancing. It was the last evening for them to enjoy the cruise, their high school graduation gift.  Read More.


Janet Kelly


On the last night of the cruise, in between a show and dinner, the ships bartender mixed and served me with a drug-induced drink. I began to experience mental and physical impairment. I was taken to a location on the ship marked crew members only to my horror, the crewmember then raped me! Read More.


Annette Mizener - Wisconsin


On December 4, 2004, the last night of a 9-day Mexican Riviera cruise with her parents and daughter, my 37-year old wife, Annette Mizener, disappeared off the Carnival cruise ship, "The Pride". > Read More.


My Daughter's Story


During her off-hours, in 2005, my Daughter was with other employees on the Cruise Ship, where she had been working. Another employee handed her a drink and said, "Drink this". Within 30 minutes of drinking it, she has no memory of the night. Read More.


Deborah Shaffer - Arizona


In April 2003, on the first night aboard Carnivals Legend, my 15-year-old daughter met a girl her own age, who was also on the cruise with her parents and two brothers. Two days later, my younger daughter (13 years old) came to me and told me what she knew. My 15-year old daughter had been raped!  Read More.


George Smith - Connecticut


George A. Smith IV, aged 26 years old, our beloved son and brother, went missing from the Royal Caribbean "Brilliance of the Seas" on July 5, 2005 between Greece and Turkey. Read Family Story  Read Wife's Story

 

For more information click:

International Cruise Victims