Scandal on the High Seas?

Sept. 19, 2007 — -- It's estimated that more than 10 million Americans go on cruises every year.

Now, after complaints of onboard assaults, thefts and even mysterious disappearances, Congress investigated today how safe these vacations are. A House Transportation subcommittee conducted a hearing on cruise safety this morning.

Two hundred cruise ships dock in the United States, 198 of which are registered in foreign countries, exempting them from most U.S. laws and regulations.

Congress heard testimony from passengers with stories about poor security, and little accountability, in this $30 billion-a-year industry.

Angela Orlich of Springfield, Mass., with family and friends, went on a Royal Caribbean cruise in January 2003.

"We just thought that was the perfect thing to do, to see all the islands," Orlich said.

Aboard the ship, Orlich bought a scuba excursion in Cozumel, Mexico.

But, once her instructor got her alone underwater, she said he started to sexually assault her.

"I started going towards the rope, and I started to pull myself up on the rope, and he was pushing me down," Orlich said. "I started going up the rope again, and at this time, he started taking my bathing suit off, pulling it down."

She said he proceeded to shut her air tank off.

"I don't know if he was trying to murder me, or what. But, I got back up, I got to the top."

Orlich said no one at the cruise lines seemed to care, but today, upset lawmakers responded to her testimony, as well as that of other victims.

Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., who participated in the hearing because one of her constituents had been the victim of an alleged rape on a Royal Caribbean cruise, called cruise ships "essentially floating cities with thousands of passengers, and few security guards.

"The more I have inquired about crimes on cruise ships," Matsui said, "the more I have been alarmed that there is no shortage of cases of rape, sexual assaults of minors, alcohol-related fighting and abuse, and persons overboard."

"This is not rocket science stuff," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., chair of the subcommittee, who called on cruise line officials to do more in response to the array of incidents.