MAY 8, 2013 – Senator John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV (D. W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is continuing his efforts to provide "robust oversight" of the cruise industry.

He has just sent letters to the three largest cruise line companies requesting information about their passenger safety, security, and health practices.

At least one of his previous letters to the industry proved highly effective.

In March Senator Rockefeller wrote to Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival Corporation, expressing his serious concerns surrounding recent Carnival cruise ship incidents and asking Mr. Arison if Carnival intended to reimburse federal taxpayers for the cost of responding to the Carnival Splendor or Triumph marine casualties.

On April 15, Carnival Corporation issued this statement:

Carnival Corporation is in the process of voluntarily submitting payment to the U.S. Treasury Department to reimburse the federal government for costs related to the Carnival Triumph and Splendor incidents. It should be clearly noted that at no point in time has Carnival stated it would refuse to reimburse federal agencies if they sought remuneration. Although no agencies have requested remuneration, the company has made the decision to voluntarily provide reimbursement to the federal government

Senator Rockefeller’s latest letters ask the cruise lines to provide specific information on such things as provision of back-up power systems, number of seats in lifeboats and on-board crime statistics.

You can access them here:

Letter to Carnival

Letter to Royal Caribbean

Letter to Norwegian Cruise Line