Australia Takes Steps with Respect to Excessive Drinking on Cruises
Alcohol on cruise ships has been the topic of a media newsblitz with passengers overboard and cruise ship crimes such as cruise rapes being alcohol involved. According to this article in Seatrade Insider, Australia is taking steps to better manage alcohol on cruise ships.
If someone you know has been the victim of a crime on a cruise ship and alcohol was involved, contact us for a confidential consultation. We have extensive experience in handling these types of cases.
Read the article, from Seatrade Insider, below:
Undercover liquor inspectors to sail with P&O Australia
10/8/2006
A meeting this week between compliance staff of the New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and Carnival Australia’s fleet personnel manager, John Nell, has paved the way for seagoing liquor inspectors.
The NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, Grant McBride, said Carnival Australia’s decision to discuss the ‘responsible service of alcohol procedures and drink-spiking awareness’ was ‘a positive step in the right direction.’
McBride said P&O Cruises Australia has invited compliance officers to sail in its ships and review its existing liquor and security policies.
‘While it is at the company’s invitation, officers will be going in undercover and crew members and patrons (sic) will be unaware of the operation,’ he said.
‘It must be made clear that the NSW Government has no jurisdiction over international waters. However, P&O has realised that our practices and procedures in NSW are fostering a cultural change in the State’s liquor industry - a culture of respect and responsibility.
‘We are keen to do all we can to ensure citizens on cruise ships departing from NSW are protected.’
The introduction of undercover liquor inspectors comes during a coronial inquest into the death of a passenger, Dianne Brimble, from alcohol and a ‘date-rape’ drug on board Pacific Sky in 2002. The hearing is set to resume in the Glebe Coroner’s Court next month.
The move also follows a statement issued just under two months ago by P&O Cruises Australia that said the company’s response to the unacceptable conduct of a ‘small minority’ of passengers and crew had been inadequate and that action will be taken against excessive behaviour (Seatrade Insider 28/6/2006).
