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The hard work of the family of a Greenwich man who disappeared on his honeymoon cruise has finally paid off. A Cruise Vessel Security Act prompted by the case of George Smith IV, who became missing in the Mediterranean in 2005, was signed into law Tuesday by President Obama.
"This is a tribute to my clients," said Michael Jones, an attorney for Smith's family. He said the man's parents became involved in helping other families of cruise crime victims and even testified before Congress.
The new law requires cruise ships to carry rape kits and a trained forensic sexual assault specialist. It also stipulates that a "structure" must be created between the cruise industry, the FBI and the Coast Guard.
However, most cruise ships are not registered in the U.S., so crimes committed abroad those vessels in international waters fall under the authority of the ship's country of registry.
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