Who investigates a crime on a cruise ship?

Last updated October 4, 2026.

On cruises that embark or disembark passengers in the United States, federal law requires the cruise line to report serious crimes to the FBI. The cruise line must call the nearest FBI field office or legal attaché as soon as possible after listed crimes, such as a homicide, a sexual assault, an assault with serious bodily injury or a missing U.S. national, and must also file a written report with the Department of Transportation (46 U.S.C. 3507(g)(3)). Depending on where the ship was, other countries' authorities may also be involved.

A crime at sea can involve the ship's security team, the FBI, the U.S. Coast Guard, local police in a port and authorities in other countries. This page explains who gets notified and when, when U.S. criminal law reaches a foreign-flagged ship, what records the ship must keep, and what a victim can do. Our page on assault and onboard crime explains a victim's civil claim against the cruise line, and our overview of cruise injury claims covers the rest.

How does a crime report move, step by step?

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, codified at 46 U.S.C. 3507, sets most of the rules. On a covered ship, a report generally moves like this:

1. The victim or a witness reports to the ship. Ship security and medical staff are the first responders on board. The ship's security guide must describe the medical and security staff designated to respond, with 24-hour contact instructions (3507(c)(1)(A)(i)).
2. The ship logs the complaint. The owner must record all complaints of the listed crimes, thefts over $1,000 and other crimes in a log book kept in a central place readily accessible to law enforcement (3507(g)(1)).
3. The cruise line calls the FBI. For the listed serious crimes, the owner must contact the nearest FBI field office or legal attaché by telephone as soon as possible (3507(g)(3)(A)(i)).
4. A written report goes to DOT's website. The owner must furnish a written report of each listed incident to the internet site maintained by the Secretary of Transportation (3507(g)(3)(A)(ii)).
5. Evidence goes to investigators. On request, the owner must give law enforcement copies of video that may provide evidence of a reported crime (3507(b)(3)(A)), and must make the log book available to the FBI, the Coast Guard and any law enforcement officer investigating (3507(g)(1)(B)).
6. Other authorities may act. The owner may report other criminal incidents to state or local police (3507(g)(3)(A)(iv)), and authorities in a port country may become involved when the ship is in their waters.

Does U.S. criminal law reach a foreign-flagged cruise ship?

Often, for crimes involving Americans. Federal criminal law defines the "special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States." Under 18 U.S.C. 7(8), that includes, to the extent permitted by international law, any foreign vessel during a voyage having a scheduled departure from or arrival in the United States, for an offense committed by or against a U.S. national. Section 7(7) adds any place outside the jurisdiction of any nation, for an offense by or against a U.S. national.

Those provisions explain why the FBI is the agency the cruise line must call even when the ship flies another country's flag. They also show the limits: the reach depends on the voyage touching the U.S. and on a U.S. national being involved, and international law can affect it.

What records must the ship keep?

Section 3507(g)(2) lists what the log must record for each complaint, at a minimum: the vessel operator; the cruise line; the flag the ship was flying; the age and gender of the victim and the accused; the nature of the alleged crime and whether the alleged perpetrator was a passenger or crew member; the ship's position; the time, date and method of the initial report and the authority it went to; the time and date of the incident if known; the total numbers of passengers and crew; and the case number given by the law enforcement authority.

Video matters as much as the log. Covered ships must keep surveillance video for at least 20 days, and if one of the listed incidents is alleged and reported to law enforcement, the video from the voyage that the FBI determines is relevant must be provided to the FBI and preserved for at least 4 years (3507(b)(4)). Read how to get the cruise line's video before it disappears.

What changes the answer?

Whether the voyage touched the United States

The safety law applies to passenger vessels authorized to carry and with overnight accommodations for 250 or more passengers, on a voyage that embarks or disembarks passengers in the U.S. (3507(k)). For trips that never touch a U.S. port, see claims by non-U.S. passengers and on non-U.S. voyages.

Who was involved

Several of the reporting triggers, and the reach of 18 U.S.C. 7(7) and 7(8), depend on whether the victim or the accused is a U.S. national.

Where the ship was

The ship's security guide must describe the jurisdictional authority and law enforcement processes for the listed crimes, with contact information for crimes in U.S. territorial waters, on the high seas, or in any country the voyage visits (3507(c)(1)(A)(ii)). Each stateroom must also have information on the U.S. embassy and consulates in each country the ship will visit (3507(c)(2)).

The type of crime

Only the listed crimes trigger the FBI call and the DOT report. Others go in the log and may be reported to state or local police. Sexual assault also triggers specific medical care duties; see what a cruise ship's medical staff must provide after a sexual assault.

A death or disappearance

Suspicious deaths and missing U.S. nationals are reportable crimes under the statute. Families can read what happens first after a family member dies on a cruise.

What does this look like in practice?

For example, imagine a U.S. passenger on a 7-night cruise from Miami who is assaulted by another passenger in a bar and suffers a broken jaw. She reports it to ship security that night. Because it is an assault with serious bodily injury on a voyage that departed from a U.S. port and involves a U.S. national, the cruise line must call the nearest FBI field office or legal attaché as soon as possible and file a written report through DOT's site. The complaint goes into the ship's log with the details the statute lists, including the case number the FBI gives.

She asks security for the incident report number and writes down the officers' names. Within days, she sends a written request asking the cruise line to preserve the bar's video and the log entry. Whether federal prosecutors bring charges is up to them. Her civil claim against the cruise line, if the facts support one, is separate and follows the ticket's own deadlines.

This example is hypothetical, not a past case or a result.

What mistakes do victims and families make?

• Assuming ship security is the police. Ship security responds on board, but the statute requires the cruise line to report listed crimes to the FBI. Ask for confirmation that it was done and for any case number.
• Not writing down names and times. Note who you spoke to, when, and what they said, starting on the ship.
• Waiting for the criminal case before acting. Evidence and civil deadlines do not wait for a prosecution.
• Not reading the security guide. It must describe the authorities and contacts for crimes on that voyage, and it must be posted on the cruise line's website (3507(c)(1)(C)).
• Missing the written notice deadline in the ticket. See how to give a cruise line written notice of your claim.

What should you do this week?

1. Get medical care and keep copies of all records, including from the ship's medical center.
2. Write down what happened, with times, places and the names of crew and security staff you dealt with.
3. Ask the cruise line in writing for the incident report number and whether it reported to the FBI.
4. Send a written request to preserve video, the log entry and access records.
5. Keep the cruise line's security guide for your voyage, from its website, with your booking records.
6. Speak with a lawyer about a civil claim and its deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Can I contact the FBI myself?

Yes. The cruise line's duty to report does not stop a victim from contacting law enforcement directly. After a sexual assault, the ship must give the victim free and immediate access to contact information for the FBI and other authorities and to a private telephone line (3507(d)(5)).

Does a civil claim depend on criminal charges?

No. A criminal case is brought by the government; a civil claim is the victim's own and can proceed whether or not anyone is charged, as our page on assault and onboard crime explains.

Where can I see how many crimes are reported?

The Department of Transportation publishes quarterly statistics by cruise line. See where to find official cruise ship crime and overboard statistics.

What happens to the ship's video in a reported case?

If a listed incident is alleged and reported to law enforcement, relevant video from the voyage must be provided to the FBI and kept for at least 4 years (3507(b)(4)).

What if the crime happened in a foreign port?

Local authorities in that country may have jurisdiction, and the security guide must list contacts for countries the ship visits. The U.S. embassy and consulate information in your stateroom is another starting point.

Is the cruise line penalized for not reporting?

Violations of section 3507 can bring civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day, up to $50,000 for a continuing violation, and willful violations can be criminal (3507(h)). Our page on the safety rules federal law imposes on cruise ships covers enforcement.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Whether and how a crime is investigated depends on the facts and the authorities involved. Contact a lawyer about your specific situation.